May 2026 Reads

Welcome to my May book reviews!

I have to admit, I was still writing some of these well into the first week of June, and what was clear to me is that my initial rating for most books is based solely on vibes lol. Even as I was just scrolling through here looking at the OG rating for books I still needed to write a full review for, I couldn’t remember WHY I rated something that high. 

So some of these retroactively got docked a .25 star or so after I had more time to noodle on it. 

Even though May is my most hectic month at work due to its lead up to my company’s annual conference the first week of June, this was a pretty solid reading month overall. So shout out to all of these books for helping my brain escape the grind for a while.

All righty, let’s get into what I read.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

HORSE by Geraldine Brooks

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an itinerant young artist who has made his name on paintings of the racehorse takes up arms for the Union. On a perilous night, he reunites with the stallion and his groom, very far from the glamor of any racetrack. New York City, 1954. Martha Jackson, a gallery owner celebrated for taking risks on edgy contemporary painters, becomes obsessed with a nineteenth-century equestrian oil painting of mysterious provenance. Washington, DC, 2019. Jess, a Smithsonian scientist from Australia, and Theo, a Nigerian-American art historian, find themselves unexpectedly connected through their shared interest in the horse--one studying the stallion's bones for clues to his power and endurance, the other uncovering the lost history of the unsung Black horsemen who were critical to his racing success.

My Thoughts: Okay, I have to admit, the gap between me reading this book and actually sitting down to write this review ended up being much longer than I intended. So while I can't remember every thought and feeling I had while reading it, I can at least talk about what has stuck with me. First of all, I love this type of structure in historical fiction. The story unfolds across three timelines and follows several different characters who are all connected to one of the greatest racehorses of all time. In 1850, Jarret is an enslaved young man who became the primary groom for an up-and-coming racing stallion named Lexington. He loves that horse more than anything in the world, and the bond they share is incredibly heartwarming. In a time when Jarret can't place much trust in the people around him, the raw, genuine connection he has with Lexington becomes a lifeline. Even as the horse changes owners, the one constant is Jarret at his side. Fast forward to 2019 in Washington, D.C., where Theo, an art historian, rescues an old painting of a racehorse from a yard sale. At the same time, Jess, a Smithsonian scientist, is studying the bones of that very same horse. United by their curiosity about the horse's past, they begin working together to uncover not only the identity of the legendary horse, but also the story of the young Black man depicted beside him in the painting. I have to admit that Theo and Jess were a bit hit-or-miss for me. There were moments when I found them incredibly likable, but then they'd do something impulsive or frustratingly lacking in self-awareness that immediately turned me off. That said, there is a plot twist at the end with these two specifically that I wasn’t expecting and made my jaw drop, but it didn’t necessarily change my perspective on them. Honestly, what stands out most to me now is that this is a really solid historical fiction novel. It tells a beautiful story, but it also wasn't a historical fiction that completely blew me away. I'd definitely recommend it, but it probably wouldn't be the first historical fiction recommendation I'd reach for, if that makes sense.

To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

TO CAGE A WILD BIRD by Brooke Fast (Divided Fates #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In the city of Dividium, the law is simple: commit a crime, and your punishment is a life sentence in Endlock. Raven Thorne is Dividium’s most notorious bounty hunter, living on the edge of society. But when her younger brother, Jed, is sentenced to Endlock, Raven will do anything to save him—even if it means getting herself arrested. Now trapped in a prison where danger lurks around every corner, Raven must use all her cunning and strength to protect Jed—and herself if she is to complete her perilous mission. But there’s one obstacle she never expected: the prison guard who stirs something deep inside her. The man she should hate. The man whose true motives seem impossible to pin down. In a world where trust is a weapon and love is a liability, Raven must decide if she will risk everything to tear down a vicious system.

My Thoughts: Okay okay okay, SO, if you’ve been with me for most of this year, you know I’ve been on a dystopian kick. I don’t know how much hype this book has gotten, but I found it by searching books similar to Daggermouth, and it did not disappoint. The premise is so unique: in Dividium, criminals are thrown into Endlock prison where the wealthy and elite can then choose which inmates they want to hunt for sport. The targets are released into a “playing field” with a small head start before the hunters can start their pursuit. When Raven Thorne’s younger brother Jed is sentenced to Endlock, the only way to get him out is from within. However, getting herself thrown into Endlock is the easy part. The hard part is staying alive long enough to get both of them out. Lowkey, I really enjoyed how on edge this book kept me. It wasn’t in an suffocating, anxiety-inducing way, but more in the “you’re screaming at the screen while watching a scary movie because you don’t want the character to get killed” type of way lol. The group of prisoners that Raven falls into added new dynamics to the story that make you care about more than just her and her brother escaping this hell hole. The only thing I was a little iffy about was the romance element. At first, it seemed like it was going to be an instant-love trope, which I do not get down with. However, it pivoted to being a slower burn and added some layers to their connection which gave the romance legs. Honestly, I know I’m like devouring dystopian books this year, but this was a random pick that did not disappoint!

King of Gluttony by Ana Huang

KING OF GLUTTONY by Ana Huang (King of Sins #6)

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: What people don't see are the demons lurking beneath his golden-boy facade. There's only one person who's come close to knowing the real him―Maya Singh, his childhood rival and secret obsession. She's also the only one who's ever successfully challenged him. He can't stand her, but if that's true…why can't he stop thinking about her? | Smart, witty, and competitive to a fault, top marketing executive Maya Singh is used to winning―unless her opponent is Sebastian. It's something that's infuriated and motivated her her entire life. So when a series of unfortunate events forces her to work with her sworn enemy, she's determined to one-up him and show the world who's the best once and for all. What she didn't count on? Not hating their time together. To her horror, she might even…like it. There may be a thin line between love and hate, but that's one line she'll never cross. Not with him. Not ever.

My Thoughts: This is another book I waited wayyy too long to review because even after reading the summary above to jog my memory, I was like, 😬 yeesh... what did I think about this book? Let me start by saying that I’ve been reading Ana Huang for YEARS, and it’s the BIGGEST dopamine hit every time I see she’s published a new installment in one of her series. The King of Sins series has obviously grown a lot since it began, with one book dedicated to each of the seven deadly sins. She usually drops little teasers about which characters will take center stage next, while continuing to weave characters from previous books into the current story. When I started this one, I couldn’t immediately remember who Maya and Sebastian were in relation to the rest of the series, but it clicked into place pretty quickly. These two have been rivals since grade school. They’re both incredibly intelligent, successful in their family businesses, and career driven, and the quick, quippy banter between them is utterly unmatched. Naturally, those dynamics come with a healthy dose of sexual tension too. For the most part, I really did enjoy their story. I think my biggest complaint is how slowly the first half of the book moved. It felt like the pace of the "slow burn" could have been turned up just a notch. It’s not that I was bored by Maya and Sebastian, I genuinely liked them, but there were definitely moments where I found myself thinking, okay, so when are we going to start getting to the good stuff? That being said, the writing had Ana Huang’s signature romance touch, and by the end, I was obviously obsessed with their relationship. Was this my favorite book in the series? No. Would I still recommend it if you’ve made it this far into the King of Sins series? Absolutely.

Every Spiral of Fate by Tahereh Mafi

EVERY SPIRAL OF FATE by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom #4)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: At long last, the wedding day has arrived. The Jinn queen and the enigmatic ruler of Tulan are to be married in a magical, enchanted ceremony—but Cyrus, tethered by a blood oath to his bride-to-be, can find nothing to celebrate in this union. He’s falling ever more deeply in love with the one person oathbound to kill him. Sworn to an ancient, unbreakable magic, Alizeh can only fulfill the prophecy to free her people by ensuring Cyrus dies by her own hand. And Cyrus is forced to await his end all while Prince Kamran inches closer, ready to take his place by Alizeh’s side. The countdown to murder coils tensions ever tighter, but the historic wedding has already drawn deadly attention. To prepare for war and protect her people, Alizeh must finally discover her magic—and outrun the enemies trying to stop her. Alizeh and Cyrus, along with Kamran and their friends from Ardunia, must flee on dragon-back to begin the perilous journey into the legendary mountains of Arya, where a firestorm of revelations, magical discoveries, and fresh allies awaits them. Every allegiance will be tested, every darkness uncovered, and when the shattering secrets of the Tulanian king are finally revealed . . . Nothing, and no one, will be the same.

My Thoughts: Listen. STRAIGHT TO JAIL that we’re on book four of this series and Alizeh and Cyrus still haven’t even kissed yet. 😩I swear, Tahereh Mafi is the only author who can turn me into a complete SIMP for the blatant YEARNING we get from Cyrus throughout yet another book. The man is catastrophically down bad, and somehow I eat it up every single time. I had to go back and read my review from the last book (All This Twisted Glory) and while this installment definitely follows in the footsteps of the previous three, we finally start getting more answers about Alizeh’s power and the incredibly complicated knot the devil has tied this group up in. We ALSO learn the real truth about what happened to Cyrus’s father and why he ended up in a position he never asked for or wanted. Kamran still sucks, and I’m so fuckin’ glad his loyalties finally got called out, even if he low-key saved the day later lol. What he really needs to do is wrangle his ego and admit he’s so far gone for Huda. Honestly, this feels like one of those series where you only understand why people keep reading it if you’ve also started reading it. So even if this review doesn’t do much to convince you to pick it up, just know my head is on a SWIVEL waiting for the release date of the next book lol.

A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar

A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF by Megha Majumdar

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In a near-future Kolkata beset by flooding and famine, Ma, her two-year-old daughter, and her elderly father are just days from leaving the collapsing city behind to join Ma’s husband in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After procuring long-awaited visas from the consulate, they pack their bags for the flight to America. But in the morning they awaken to discover that Ma’s purse, containing their treasured immigration documents, has been stolen.

My Thoughts: This was one of those books where every new blow to the characters’ hope felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Ma, her toddler, and her elderly father are just a week away from joining her husband in Ann Arbor and finally escaping the crumbling city of Kolkata for good. But after picking up their long-awaited visas, Murphy’s Law takes effect in the form of a destitute 20-year-old man named Boomba. While Ma desperately tries to recover the visas Boomba stole and discarded, he’s simply trying to secure stable housing for the family he left behind in his poverty-stricken village. Y’all. This audiobook was a hard pill to swallow. It felt like every time you were given even the smallest kernel of hope for Ma’s family, it was promptly ripped away in the most devastating way possible. At the same time, it was hard to truly hate or blame Boomba for everything that happened given the circumstances he was facing. And let me tell you, the author pulls ZERO punches. Not even at the very end, when I was left standing in my kitchen with my jaw on the FLOOR. While this is a quick read, it’s definitely not an easy one. What it does exceptionally well, though, is force you to consider just how bad things could get when basic resources in a major city become scarce for the majority of the population. It really made me reflect on why these dire circumstances can alter what we’d consider morally or ethically right. 

Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen

FURY BOUND by Sable Sorensen (The Wolves of Ruin #2)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: CROWNED BY DESTINY. CONSUMED BY VENGEANCE. Against all odds, Meryn Cooper has inherited the crown—and a deadly war. As the Kingdom of Nocturna splinters under the weight of generations of lies, it is up to Meryn, her bonded direwolf Anassa, and their allies to bring the country back from the brink. But the commoners, the Bonded, and the nobles are distrustful of their new queen and Meryn is caught in a deadly game of politics. Meanwhile, Meryn’s beloved younger sister, Saela, is more at risk than ever. Confusingly, the one person Meryn can trust is Stark Therion—the dark, dangerous Alpha she thought hated her as much as she loathed him. Yet, his loyalty is unshakeable. His presence is intoxicating. And with his guidance, Meryn can seize an unthinkable level of power. With enemies closing in and shadows stirring in her dreams, Meryn stands to lose her kingdom—and her heart. Blood will spill. Bonds will break. Fate will be tested.

My Thoughts: Ugh. It kills me to rate this so low, but the first 65–70% of the book was a completely different experience from the remaining 30–35%. Right from the start, we pick up exactly where the last book left off, and we’re immediately immersed back into the story. We’re dropped into the chaos of a group of direbound calling Meryn a usurper while the rest of the direbound figure out where they stand on the matter. She’s trying to step into an authority she’s never felt she had a right to claim, all while hoping to prevent additional bloodshed. When she and her closest companions set out in search of allies and objects that could grant them more power, I was totally along for the ride. We’re introduced to new characters, we see development from both Meryn and Stark, and it felt clear where the plot was headed. Then, all of a sudden, as we’re rounding third base and heading for home, the disconnect starts. The timeline begins accelerating between major events, some of the bigger moments are told to us instead of shown, and plot holes start popping up. Even one of the most important parts of the story takes place in a city that, unless I’m forgetting something, had only been briefly visited in the first book and hadn’t really been brought up in this one. So I was sitting there like, wait... did I miss something?? AND THEN. When this juicy pimple of a story FINALLY comes to a head, the final pop is EXTREMELY anti-climactic. After almost 1.75 books of buildup, the climax lasts maybe 2.5 pages before the story just keeps moving. I don’t know if the author got deeper into the book and realized she hadn’t really set up the next installment yet, or if the editing made the final portion feel so choppy, but I was low-key disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely going to read the next one lol. I just hope it feels like a smoother ride than this book did.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang (REREAD)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Authors Juniper Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena is a literary darling while June is a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls?, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse, stealing Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I. So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? This piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller. That is what June believes, and The New York Times bestseller list agrees. But June cannot escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens her stolen success. As she races to protect her secret she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

My Thoughts: This was my book club’s pick of the month. I originally read Yellowface back in 2024 (OG review here) and although I remember the main character is the absolute WORST, I couldn’t remember specifics to the story. So I figured I’d give it another read. I can confidently report, June Hayward is, in fact, still the worst lol. She’s a complex character who is also incredibly morally gray, so the lies she tells herself and the justifications she gives to her actions end up snowballing into one giant bigoted pile of hot garbage. This book is incredibly satirical and is meant to read as a horror story which honestly tracks with how much it put me on edge. One interesting thing someone brought up in my book club is how this story sheds a different light on the performative influencer lifestyle. Even reading this just two years later, I have to agree with how much the social media landscape has shifted and how June’s actions online specifically were meant to appease her peers in the publishing industry and those who were calling out her blatant racism. Honestly, this book is thought-provoking on so many different levels and I cannot recommend it enough.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

H IS FOR HAWK by Helen Macdonald

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: As a child Helen Macdonald was determined to become a falconer. She learned the arcane terminology and read all the classic books, including T. H. White's tortured masterpiece, The Goshawk, which describes White's struggle to train a hawk as a spiritual contest. When her father dies and she is knocked sideways by grief, she becomes obsessed with the idea of training her own goshawk. She buys Mabel for 800 on a Scottish quayside and takes her home to Cambridge. Then she fills the freezer with hawk food and unplugs the phone, ready to embark on the long, strange business of trying to train this wildest of animals.

My Thoughts: YOU GUISE LOL. I was 55% through this audiobook when I realized it’s actually a memoir… 💀 Ya girl was out here thinking this was a work of fiction and wondering why this book has gotten SOOO much hype over the years lol. Listen, I hate to rate a memoir because it’s literally judging someone’s lived experience. However, I have to say, I started getting bored with this book way sooner than I would’ve anticipated. After her father unexpectedly passes away, Helen Macdonald pores herself into becoming a falconer. She puts everything into her goshawk, Mabel, to avoid dealing with the loss of such a staple person in her life. This story was truly STEEPED in grief and pain. Even while she was talking about tactics she used to train her hawk, you could hear the mourning in her writing. Though it was interesting to learn more about falconry and her experience with the goshawk, I feel like the last 35-40% of it was SUCH a SLOG. Like I truly had to force myself to listen to it because I had already made it that far into this book. That being said, if you’re in your bird watching era, I think you’d find her story incredibly interesting. Just check trigger warnings because her depression is palpable.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin (Great Cities #1)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Five New Yorkers must come together in order to defend their city. Every city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She's got five. But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs beneath the earth, threatening to destroy the city and her five protectors unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.

My Thoughts: Okay I have to admit, I haven’t picked up an N.K. Jemisin book in a while because I read The Fifth Season probably five years ago and remember not being entirely blown away by it. So although this book has been sitting on my shelf for a while now, I’ve been putting it off. However, I’m pleased to report I genuinely enjoyed the story! I’d say it is equal parts urban fantasy and science fiction, and although the “space-time continuum” of it all got a little confusing, it got easier to follow as the book progressed. Basically, when a city becomes culturally distinct, it goes through a “birth.” During this process, most cities use a human conduit or avatar to embody the entire city. However, since New York is made up of five boroughs with their own distinct sub-cultures, it gets split into five different avatars. These avatars have to find each other in order to wake up the one human who is destined to embody the city as a whole. The wrench in this machine is that there are entities from other universes trying to bring their watered-down, non-diverse version of New York City to life before this universe can birth its extremely diverse version. I’d honestly love to know what someone from or who has lived in the Big Apple for a long time thinks of how the author wrote each borough’s avatar. Personally, I loved the dynamics of these five different characters and how their urban identities manifested through their personalities. I do feel like there were a few plot holes and that the author could’ve left us on a bigger cliffhanger, but overall, I liked my experience with this. If you’re into audiobooks, I highly recommend giving this one a try. The narrator is phenomenal and I’ve never listened to an audiobook with so many sound effects incorporated into it.

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

IN HER OWN LEAGUE by Liz Tomforde

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: She owns the team. He manages the field. And neither one is playing fair. As the first female team owner in Major League Baseball, Reese Remington has spent her entire life preparing for this role. With a sharp mind and years of experience working behind the scenes, she’s more than qualified. But the public only sees a woman in a man’s world―not the person who’s earned their place on the field. Under constant scrutiny and pressure to prove herself, Reese can’t afford distractions. Especially one that comes in the form of the team’s tempting field manager who questions her every decision. Emmett Montgomery is a former All-Star turned coach who treats his players like family and the field like home. After years of running the team his way, the last thing he wants is a new boss, let alone one who seems ice-cold and laser-focused on business. But forced to spend long hours―and too many away games―side by side, he begins to see the fire beneath Reese’s control, the heart behind her ambition, and the unwavering determination to prove herself. When heated banter turns into sizzling chemistry, professional boundaries blur and the spark between them becomes impossible to resist. But Reese is constantly reminded of how many people are waiting for her to fail, and the safest move is to keep Emmett at arm’s length―for the sake of the team, the season, and her career. But keeping their distance is one game neither of them can seem to win.

My Thoughts: Liz Tomforde has quickly become an auto-read romance author for me after I fell in love with her Windy City series, which follows different professional athletes from fictional Chicago sports teams. While this book isn't technically part of that series, it follows two familiar characters from it: Emmett Montgomery, the head coach of Chitown's MLB team, and its new owner, Reese Remington. Up until now, we've gotten to know Emmett as an absolute ZADDY. He's only in his mid-40s, but he became a father at a young age after his partner passed away from cancer and asked him to raise her daughter. He also recently technically became an honorary grandpa to one of his player’s sons so, to say I had high expectations for this man's turn at romance would be an understatement. Y'all... I'm pleased to report that this spin-off did not disappoint. Though it's technically an age-gap romance (Emmett is 45 and Reese is 35), a trope I'm not usually drawn to, I thought the dynamic worked perfectly here. Reese is the first woman in league history to become the owner of a team, and people LOVE reminding her of that. She's incredibly driven, ambitious, and determined to prove herself in this male-dominated space. What I loved most was that Emmett never tried to speak for her. Instead, he supported her in a way that always left her in control of the situation whenever misogyny tried to knock her down. The admiration these two had for each other gave me full-body fuzzies, and I absolutely loved how clearly they communicated their needs (both in their relationship and the bedroom 😉). If you're looking for a more mature romance that delivers perfect summer vibes, I definitely recommend picking this one up. That said, I DO recommend reading at least books three and four of the Windy City series beforehand to get the most out of Emmett and Reese's story.

That’s it for May!

Since my company’s annual conference that I plan (essentially my personal Super Bowl) was this past week, I’ll definitely have more time this month to settle in and write my June reviews as I finish each book instead of waiting until the end of the month to do all of them lol. 

2026 Book Count: 50

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads orStoryGraph.

April 2026 Reads

Listen, April flew by so quickly I didn’t even catch all the usual seasonal memes this year. 

Shout out Miss Congeniality for April 25th and JT the entire last week of the month. Sorry I missed y’all! 

Of the most mundane updates I have to report, I finally have a sliding screen door on my back deck. I felt like I was missing out on some PRIME fresh air coming from the east all last summer, so I decided to take the leap and install one myself.

My next venture: a porch goose. I don’t have an actual porch, but I still want a goose that I can dress in fun little outfits. 🤗

Otherwise, this was a SOLID month of reading for me. Even a book I didn’t have high expectations for ended up being incredibly entertaining. What more could I ask for?

All righty, let’s get into everything I read in April. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Sir Una Everlasting was Dominion’s greatest hero: the orphaned girl who became a knight, who died for queen and country. Her legend lives on in songs and stories, in children’s books and recruiting posters―but her life as it truly happened has been forgotten. Centuries later, Owen Mallory―failed soldier, struggling scholar―falls in love with the tale of Una Everlasting. Her story takes him to war, to the archives―and then into the past itself. Una and Owen are tangled together in time, bound to retell the same story over and over again, no matter what it costs. But that story always ends the same way. If they want to rewrite Una’s legend―if they want to tell a different story--they’ll have to rewrite history itself.

My Thoughts: This was my first experience with an Alix E. Harrow book, but I can promise you it won’t be my last. Owen Mallory is struggling. He’s a defunct soldier turned scholar, and completely obsessed with the tale of Una Everlasting, Dominion’s greatest hero. When his boss hands him a book that literally sucks him into Sir Una’s story, it becomes Owen’s responsibility to make sure the tale plays out as it should, for the sake of the country’s safety and legacy. Cue a somewhat Groundhog Day-esque quest, as Owen and Una relive the same story over and over again. It’s not until Owen starts remembering that he’s been through Una’s journey before that he realizes someone is manipulating Dominion’s history to play out in their favor. Though the pacing leans a little slower, it was an absolutely lovely reading experience. There’s something hard to describe about it, but because of the repetition within Una’s story, it’s easy to settle into the rhythm of the plot and understand how Owen and Una begin trying to shift it. Not to mention, I freaking LOVED their love story. It felt pure yet messy, delayed yet natural, impossible yet inevitable, like nothing else could possibly be more right. If you love fantasy with a strong quest, a touch of time travel, multiple timelines, and various POVs, this book has all of that and more. 

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE by Tiffany Crum

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire. The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny will stop at nothing to find them, even as the police zero in on him as their prime suspect. Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.

My Thoughts: I had a friend ask if I’d read this yet, and since I hadn’t by the time Audible’s huge sale was going on, I decided just to buy it on a whim. To be totally transparent, I never actually read the premise before purchasing it, but to my absolute delight, one of the main characters happens to have narcolepsy. AND the way the author writes about it is actually incredibly accurate to the experience of having the chronic sleep disorder. 👏 Joy’s narcolepsy is only part of the story though. After she and her fiancé mysteriously go missing, the messiest search for them commences and Joy’s best friend, Benny will stop at nothing to find her. Even if that causes the police to look at him as the main suspect… Y’ALL. The audiobook is the way to go with this one. For starters, it’s a FULL CAST featuring multiple POVs, excerpts from podcast recordings, messages from the police hotline, snippets of Joy’s memoir, and more. To say I was lost on whodunnit is an understatement. The author does a fantastic job of making you suspicious of literally everyone at one point or another, but even then, the ending has a few plot twists that had me rewinding the audiobook just to make sure I heard it correctly. This is a mystery/thriller that I challenge aficionados of the genre to try because I HIGHLY doubt you will be able to suss out the truth. 🙃

Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe

DAGGERMOUTH by H.M. Wolfe

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The first thing you’ll learn in New Found Haven is that mercy doesn’t exist. The second thing is that, from the highest glass atrium in the Heart to the windowless slums of the Boundary, the Veyra are always watching. The last lesson is the hardest, but you must remember it: Love outside of your ring is a death sentence. The city is carved into rings of privilege and poverty, ruled by the masked elite who will do whatever it takes to hold onto power. Obedience is demanded. Rebellion is crushed. Greyson Serel has spent his life caught between two worlds. Publicly, he’s the flawless heir to the presidency. Privately, he’s entangled in secrets that could topple the regime. But when he’s forced into a political marriage meant to bind him tighter to the government’s brutal laws, he finds himself shackled to a bride as lethal as she is unwilling. Shadera Kael is a mercenary raised to kill, not to wed. Yet when her bullet misses its mark, survival leaves her tied to the very man she was sent to eliminate. Trapped inside the corrupt heart of the city, she becomes both prisoner and wife, her every step watched, her every move tested. Their union is no love story—it’s a battlefield. As secrets come to light and betrayals fester within the walls of power, Greyson and Shadera must decide between annihilating each other or burning the city to the ground together. In a world where passion has consequences and loyalty is paid for in blood, their forced bond may be the spark that ignites a revolution. Or the fire that consumes them both.

My Thoughts: When I tell you this is what I want out of a dystopian romance… I could not put my Kindle down. This book was absolutely addicting. It has all the perfect elements: enemies-to-lovers, multiple POVs, forced proximity, complicated politics, high stakes, slow-burn romance, thicc sexual tension, and, to top it all off, main characters in their 30s. 🤌 I kind of loved how unhinged Shadera’s character was. She’s obviously got some inner demons to address, but she’s faced endless adversity living alone in the impoverished Boundary and has learned a myriad of skills to stay alive as a Daggermouth and contract assassin. Her latest assignment requires her to break into the heart of the city’s authoritarian regime to kill its heir, Greyson Serel. Meanwhile, Greyson absolutely loathes his father (the high ruler) and his own role as the Executioner. Unfortunately, his family built the metaphorical soul sucking cage he’s currently trapped in, and he can’t seem to find a way out without being accused of treason. I loved the contrast between the hypothetical mask Greyson wears for everyone else and the softy he is underneath. (I say hypothetical because they wear literal masks in the capital city. It’s a law lol).  When Shadera and Greyson are forced into a political marriage, they slowly and reluctantly start peeling back each other’s layers, realizing they’ll have to rely on one another if they want to get out of this hellhole alive. There are a ton of action scenes, dynamic well developed side characters, and AND Y’ALL. THE AUDACITY OF THE NUMBER OF PLOT TWISTS IN THE LAST 5% OF THIS BOOK?? I was audibly gasping every other paragraph. Although I do highly recommend checking trigger warnings before going into this, I cannot even begin to describe how much I’m ITCHING for the next book in this series.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter. Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length... Until letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life. Now, Sybil must send the letter she has been writing for all these years - and find forgiveness within herself in order to move on.

My Thoughts: This book has gotten a lot of hype lately and although initially I didn’t really understand why, the more I settled into it, the more charming it became. Sybil Van Antwerp has preferred written communication for as long as she can remember. Whether it’s a letter to her pen pal or an email to a customer service person she’s taken an interest in, Sybil will undoubtedly be writing what she wants to say. Now at 73, with her eyesight deteriorating, it’s time to face some painful years from her past and write a letter she’s been putting off for decades. This story is told through the correspondence between Sybil and several other characters including her lifelong best friend, her brother living in Italy, the local judge’s son who is on the Autism spectrum, an older Jewish gentleman who happens to be her neighbor, her doctor, and more. I absolutely loved figuring out the dynamics of her relationship with each individual character through their communications. You not only get to know what’s going on in everyone’s lives directly from their firsthand reports, but also what’s happening in between the correspondences based on what Sybil is writing in her letters to others. This really was such a unique way to tell Sybil’s story. Although I listened to the audiobook (it’s a full cast!), I think this would be just as enjoyable as a physical read. 

This Earl of Mine by Kate Bateman

THIS EARL OF MINE by Kate Bateman

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What could possibly go wrong? | Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him―and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together…until actual death do they part?

My Thoughts: I’m doing a reading challenge on Storygraph and one of the prompts is “A book whose cover you would be embarrassed to read in public” lol, and when I went to the John K. King Used Bookstore in Detroit a few years ago, my goal was to find a couple of romances with cringey, dramatic covers. So OF COURSE I had to read one of those for this prompt. I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I genuinely enjoyed this story! As the wealthy heiress of a shipping fleet her late father left her, Georgiana is determined to make sure her cousin has zero chance of getting his hands on her money. The solution? Marry a dying sailor in prison and make him sign a prenup. Once the man is actually deceased, she’s a free widow! However, those plans go awry when the man she set out to marry dies before she can get to the prison and she’s forced to choose a different lowly soul. Enter Benedict Wylde, a well-known rake and man who has his hands in less-than-appropriate dealings around town. Listen, I loved their dynamics. Georgiana was clearly an intelligent, independent woman, and unlike many other men who would try to “tame” her, Benedict admired those traits and let her do her thing. They had fantastic banter, just enough yearning to make it believable, and I LOVED that when the time came, there was no gray area to be found. Not to mention, all of the action that happens in the last portion of the book! What a refreshing twist to a romance plot! If you’ve already binged the latest season of Bridgerton and are looking for something to scratch that itch, I highly recommend giving this book a try. 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

SCYTHE by Neal Shusterman (Arc of Scythe #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Thou shalt kill. A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

My Thoughts: This book has been sitting on my shelves for a few years now, and I’m honestly upset it took me that long to finally pick it up! Old age, disease, war—none of it exists anymore, which sounds great in theory, but to prevent overpopulation, there are Scythes. Their job is to “glean,” or kill people to keep nature’s balance. Every Scythe has their own methodology for who they choose and how they carry it out. After separate encounters with Scythe Faraday, Citra and Rowan are chosen as his apprentices. Unfortunately, since no Scythe has ever taken on two apprentices at once, the Scythe council rules that they’ll train together with the understanding that, at the end, one must glean the other before they can ascend to become a true Scythe. With that hanging over them, they’re forced to learn the craft of taking a life while grappling with the consequences of going against their own morals and the Scythe code of conduct. I loved how uncomfy and introspective this book made me feel. It gave me a similar vibe to The Measure by Nikki Erlick in that I kept asking myself what I would do in these scenarios. How does it feel to be a Scythe if it goes against your foundational beliefs? What happens when you disagree with how another Scythe operates? And how does the council make sure no Scythe becomes too power-hungry? I also loved the constant tension woven into Citra and Rowan’s relationship as they grow closer during their training. Even when they’re split up and sent down very different paths to scythedom, they keep quietly sabotaging themselves in competitions to protect each other from the later consequences. I already know this is going to be one of my top sci-fi reads of the year, and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series.

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: After being rescued as infants from a sinking ocean liner in 1914, Marian and Jamie Graves are raised by their dissolute uncle in Missoula, Montana. There--after encountering a pair of barnstorming pilots passing through town in beat-up biplanes--Marian commences her lifelong love affair with flight. At fourteen she drops out of school and finds an unexpected and dangerous patron in a wealthy bootlegger who provides a plane and subsidizes her lessons, an arrangement that will haunt her for the rest of her life, even as it allows her to fulfill her destiny: circumnavigating the globe by flying over the North and South Poles. A century later, Hadley Baxter is cast to play Marian in a film that centers on Marian's disappearance in Antarctica. Vibrant, canny, disgusted with the claustrophobia of Hollywood, Hadley is eager to redefine herself after a romantic film franchise has imprisoned her in the grip of cult celebrity. Her immersion into the character of Marian unfolds, thrillingly, alongside Marian's own story, as the two women's fates--and their hunger for self-determination in vastly different geographies and times--collide.

My Thoughts: This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but in the best way possible. Marian Graves disappeared during her around-the-world flight crossing over the North and South Poles in 1950, leaving behind only a flight journal wrapped in a safety vest somewhere near Antarctica. Fast forward to 2014, and actress Hadley Baxter is determined to redefine herself and her career after some recent poor choices landed her in the tabloids. When she’s offered the role of Marian in a film about the pilot’s disappearance, Hadley sees it as the perfect chance to turn things around. The story alternates timelines and POVs between Marian’s origin, growing up in Missoula, Montana, falling in love with flying, and everything that follows, and Hadley, who is trying to understand who Marian truly was in order to portray her authentically. The majority of the book lives in the past, mainly following Marian, while also giving insight into her twin brother Jamie and, at times, their neighbor Caleb. Which is honestly where I found myself wanting to stay. It’s not that I didn’t care about Hadley’s story, but for more than half the book, she felt less important and less compelling to me. It wasn’t until she started uncovering clues about where Marian might have landed during her final, iconic flight that I became more invested in her storyline. What I loved most about this novel is how completely transportive the writing is. Marian’s story isn’t a pretty one, and I appreciate that the author never tried to make it so. From a rough start in life, to chasing her dream of becoming a pilot, to a toxic marriage, growing up too fast, flying in WWII, and more, Marian had it anything but easy. But she never came across as entitled. Her goal was simply to fly, because that’s where she felt most like herself, and she remained honest and unapologetic about that. If you’re looking for an all-encompassing historical fiction with layered characters and a fantastic plot twist, I definitely recommend picking this one up.

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

RITES OF THE STARLING by Devney Perry (Shield of Sparrows #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Calandra’s five kingdoms are on the verge of destruction. The crux migration is coming. And in the wake of a devastating attack, I’ve been separated from the man who owns my heart. I’m lost. Terrified. Homesick. Hunted by monsters, driven to exhaustion, and kidnapped by a powerful priest, the only thing keeping me going is the little girl counting on me to keep her safe. It’s my turn to become the Guardian. Our lives change one fateful night. A night of death. A night of monsters. A night of truths. That night, I learn the real meaning of fear—and the depth of my own strength. Everyone wants me to be something I’m not—a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if I embrace my crown? What if the secrets I uncover save our realm? What if my sacrifice means salvation for the man I love? For too long, I’ve feared the monsters we make. It’s time to discover the monster within.

My Thoughts: This book picks up right where Shield of Sparrows left off, with Odessa and Evie escaping the ruins of the recent crux attack in Alder. Unfortunately for Odessa, their journey is being guided by a Voster, which means she has to trust where he’s taking them as she tries to make it back to her home kingdom of Quentis. I honestly can’t give too many details without spoiling a ton from the first book, but oh my god, I am so satisfied with the direction the author took this story. The narrative splits between Odessa’s POV and a new character, Caspia. Caspia’s storyline, along with a few other new faces, gives us deeper insight into what’s happening in Calandra, how long things have been going wrong, and who knows more than they’re letting on. ALSO, there’s a plot twist at the end that I definitely didn’t see coming, but now I’m wondering if anyone else picked up on it earlier than I did. So if you’ve read Rites of the Starling, please let me know because I NEED someone to talk about it with lol. 

Helpful Tip: I read Shield of Sparrows last July and vaguely remembered some of the major plot points, so I was debating on rereading it before jumping into this one. However, someone recommended I just look up a Shield of Sparrows recap on tiktok and when I tell you that was a genius suggestion! In just five minutes I was caught up on the first book and could dive right into the second. 

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

HOW TO READ A BOOK by Monica Wood

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle… Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed. When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.

My Thoughts: This was absolutely delightful! I binge-listened to the whole thing in a single day while tackling a few to-dos around my condo because it’s such an easy, engaging read. The vibe felt very Remarkably Bright Creatures with a skosh of Fredrik Backman. Just incredibly wholesome and endearing, with a full cast of perfectly imperfect characters that hit you right in the heart. Violet has just been released from prison. She was only 19 when she went in, and three years later, she’s basically starting her life from scratch. With a conviction record working against her, she struggles to find a job, her family blames her for her mother’s untimely death, and more than anything, she’s just looking for a little kindness. Which she finds in Harriet Larson, a 60-something retired English teacher who runs the women’s prison book club. What begins as Harriet helping Violet adjust to life on the outside slowly grows into an unlikely but beautiful friendship. And then there’s Frank. He’s the man whose wife was killed in the car accident that sent Violet to jail and who just so happens to be the local bookstore’s new handyman and Harriet’s biggest secret admirer. Let me just say, hats off to Frank. His empathy, forgiveness, and understanding toward Violet’s situation were beyond heartwarming. I absolutely loved watching the dynamics between this trio evolve and seeing them become such a strong support system for one another. The only reason I docked it one star is because there’s a plotline in Violet’s story that had me audibly saying, “NOPE. RED FLAG.” I get that it’s essential to her character arc, but I was still cringing from it the entire time lol. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a story that feels like a giant hug, full of found family, second chances, and a lot of heart, this is definitely a must-read.

Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi

WATCH ME by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me: The New Republic, #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: James Anderson had a plan. Or half of one. All that matters is that he managed to do what his older brother, the famous Aaron Warner Anderson, never did: infiltrate Ark Island, the last refuge of The Reestablishment. In the past decade no outsider has breached the stronghold of the authoritarian regime, but James is in. In a prison cell, sure, but as far as James is concerned, a win is a win. It’s been ten years since the fall of The Reestablishment. Ten years since the notorious duo — Juliette Ferrars and Aaron Warner Anderson — led a worldwide rebellion and established the New Republic of the West. But after a decade of unsettling quiet, The Reestablishment is ready to make a devastating move, and they have the perfect person for the job. Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. She always has a plan. On Ark Island, where constant surveillance is packaged as security, even emotions must be experienced with caution. A trained assassin, her every movement is monitored by synthetic intelligence—and when she’s given an order to kill, she never hesitates.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. You CANNOT imagine the absolute THRILL that zipped through my entire being when I walked past this book in Target. I had no idea Ms. Mafi was planning a spin-off series to Shatter Me??? Not to mention, she’s already on book 2 of 3?? Where tf have I been? I freaking LOVED the Shatter Me series and basically binge-read all eleven books in that series INCLUDING the novellas within like 3 weeks lol. So naturally, I ran home and downloaded the first book of this spin-off series to my Kindle. Taking place ten years after the fall of The Reestablishment, this book follows James, the younger brother of Adam Kent. He’s breached the boundary of what’s left of The Reestablishment and lived, which is a feat unheard of in the New Republic. After being captured by the authoritarian regime, Rosabelle Wolff is tasked with killing James. What happens after that is an absolute whirlwind. To say I DEVOURED this book does not do it justice. I was obsessed with the dynamics between Rosabelle and James. They want to loathe one another, and yet seem to keep getting drawn back together. There’s a lot we’re still learning about Rosabelle, so it’s hard to trust her in-full, but I still found myself rooting for her anyway. Not to mention, it was an absolute TREAT getting to revisit some of my favorite characters from the Shatter Me series and seeing where they are now. If you were also high key obsessed with that series, this spin-off does not disappoint.

Release Me by Tahereh Mafi

RELEASE ME by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me: The New Republic #2)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. Now she wants revenge. To save her sister she needs to get back home and destroy the system that created her. Rosabelle’s greatest strength is her ability to deaden her mind and body; it’s the only way to survive the surveillance state of Ark Island. But lately her heart has been beating harder; her thoughts are spiraling; her defenses are coming undone. And there’s only one person to blame. James Anderson had a plan. Now he has nothing but problems. Rosabelle might be the ally they need in a fight against The Reestablishment, but no one wants to trust an enemy assassin. It doesn’t help that Rosabelle’s not much of a talker, doesn’t work well in groups, and kills people on instinct. Taking her side has cost James nearly everything—but keeping her alive might help save his world. If only he could convince his older brother. Aaron Warner Anderson has a headache. Something dark is coming, and Rosabelle’s arrival is just a prelude. In her, he sees shades of himself he can’t trust, and he can no longer get a read on the girl. She’s a dead battery, emanating no emotional feedback. At least not until James walks into a room…

My Thoughts: This book seamlessly hits the ground running right where the first one left off and immediately dives into the action. Now that Rosabelle knows what the Reestablishment is planning for the New Republic, she knows she has to get home. Not only to save her sister, but to turn the authoritarian regime’s weapon back on them. The only thing stopping her, annoyingly, is James Anderson. For whatever reason, he makes her feel more alive than she can ever remember, and the thought of him suffering because of her actions has become unfathomable. Meanwhile, James is still out here trying to convince everyone they can trust Rosabelle. Yanno, the assassin who literally tried to kill him lol. Needless to say, no one is especially sold on that argument. This book delivers just as much, if not more, action and suspense as the first. It also had my stomach swooping and my heart swooning in an embarrassingly giddy way that I wanted more of. Also the absolute AUDACITY of that ending?? It cuts off so abruptly, right in the middle of a pivotal scene, and on a deadly cliffhanger. So RUDE. That said, the third book drops later this year, so if nothing else, I’m already excited to reread this one in the fall and experience all of its dystopian romance magic again. 🥹

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

WRITERS & LOVERS by Lily King (Casey Peabody #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Blindsided by her mother's sudden death, and wrecked by a recent love affair, Casey Peabody has arrived in Massachusetts in the summer of 1997 without a plan. Her mail consists of wedding invitations and final notices from debt collectors. A former child golf prodigy, she now waits tables in Harvard Square and rents a tiny, moldy room at the side of a garage where she works on the novel she's been writing for six years. At thirty-one, Casey is still clutching onto something nearly all her old friends have let go of: the determination to live a creative life. When she falls for two very different men at the same time, her world fractures even more. Casey's fight to fulfill her creative ambitions and balance the conflicting demands of art and life is challenged in ways that push her to the brink.

My Thoughts: Okay this is a book I had to let settle for a few days before I could solidly decide what I wanted to rate it. Primarily because I can’t say I loved the main character throughout all of this. She had some unlikable characteristics, but she wasn’t necessarily unlikable, and I think that was the point. At 31, Casey Peabody doesn’t really have a plan for life other than pursuing her dream to become a writer. She’s currently DRIPPING with grief from the loss of her mother a few months ago, and it kind of feels like her life has both hit a rough patch and become a bit stagnant. It only gets a little more complicated as she enters a relationship with two men in very different stages of their lives. Listening to this audiobook was like watching a close friend go through a rough patch that never seems to end. Although I had to endure a few consistent poor choices and self sabotage behavior from Casey, I was also still rooting for her. It was like getting sips of fresh air every time a bright moment in her day punched through the perpetual storm cloud that had been hanging over her head. Naturally since the main character is a writer, this book was beautifully written with almost a lyrical quality to it, and I absolutely LOVED that it did not end the way I expected it to. If you’re looking for something that’s character driven, has relatable aspects, and you can enjoy at a slower pace, I think this book would be perfect. 

Heart the Lover by Lily King

HEART THE LOVER by Lily King (Casey Peabody #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: You knew I’d write a book about you someday. Our narrator understands good love stories—their secrets and subtext, their highs and their free falls. But her greatest love story, the one she lived, never followed the simple rules. In the fall of her senior year of college, she meets two star students from her 17th-Century Lit class: Sam and Yash. Best friends living off-campus in the elegant house of a professor on sabbatical, the boys invite her into their intoxicating world of academic fervor, rapid-fire banter and raucous card games. They nickname her Jordan, and she quickly discovers the pleasures of friendship, love and her own intellectual ambition. Youthful passion is unpredictable though, and she soon finds herself at the center of a charged and intricate triangle. As graduation comes and goes, choices made will alter these three lives forever. Decades later, Jordan is living the life she dreamed of, and the vulnerable days of her youth seem comfortably behind her. But when a surprise visit and unexpected news brings the past crashing into the present, Jordan returns to a world she left behind and is forced to confront the decisions and deceptions of her younger self.

My Thoughts: I’m not crying, you’re crying. This was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. The story is told in first person from the perspective of a college senior named Jordan. During her fall semester, she meets two guys in her 17th Century Lit class, Sam and Yash. They’re both star students and best friends. Inevitably, a lowkey love triangle ensues as Jordan gets swept up in their world. This coming-of-age story is absolutely dripping in poignancy as Jordan navigates these new, addictive friendships and loves that pull her into an undertow of pure joy and sadness. The latter half of the book shifts to the present, decades later, after Jordan has lost touch with the two boys who defined that year of college for her. It’s one of those stories that’s so beautifully written you don’t want to put it down (even as it keeps tightening the knot in your throat that’s been there since like 10 chapters ago lol.) I completely understand the hype behind this one, and while you could read it as a standalone, I do think it hits deeper if you’ve read Writers & Lovers first. It adds an extra layer of understanding to Jordan’s character that makes everything land even harder.

Okieee that’s it for April!

May is a BUSY month for me at work, so I’m not sure if that will cause my reading to slow down due to lack of time or increase due to the visceral urge to escape real life lol, but I’ll report back.

2026 Book Count: 40
And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads orStoryGraph.

March 2026 Reads

Well, March was Women’s History Month, and the fun fact I learned is that it became a widespread social norm for women to shave their legs in the 1940s when America had to ration resources for WWII, nylons included. So instead of going au natural, most women just started shaving their legs instead.

How wild? And now you know.

Aside from my March Madness brackets immediately jumping into the nearest dumpster fire by round two of the tournaments, the month itself wasn’t too shabby. My highs and lows of March are as follows:

Lows: Ya girl tweaked her back again, and although it usually clears up after a week or so, we’re heading into week three of this mess…which is honestly more annoying at this point than it is painful. 🙄

Highs: We’re finally starting to see some spring weather up here, I got to catch up with friends from home both in person and over FaceTime, and I finally took the plunge and booked a solo trip to Acadia National Park for later this summer (v excited for this one)

It also felt like my luck with books improved this month! Oddly enough, I read a lot of stories with unlikable or morally gray characters, but I’m kind of into it. There’s something comforting about knowing a character is a lowkey trash human, yet they’re still being true to who they are. I just appreciate that level of authenticity lol.

So let’s get into everything I read in March, shall we?

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Circe by Madeline Miller

CIRCE by Madeline Miller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child--neither powerful like her father nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power: the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus. But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from or with the mortals she has come to love.

My Thoughts: So I read The Song of Achilles last June and it was instantly clear how talented of a storyteller Madeline Miller is, and Circe was no exception. Born unremarkable in the eyes of the gods, Circe is the black sheep of her family, desperate for any kind of acceptance. After turning a beautiful nymph into a sea monster out of envy, she’s revealed to be a sorceress and exiled to the island of Aeaea, where she’s forced to live out the rest of her very long life. It’s on the island that Circe really starts to come into her own and starts using her powers to transform the ship crews who take advantage of her kindness into animals. I will say, the pacing before her exile felt much quicker compared to her life on the island. Not that her time there is boring by any means, but there’s only so much that can happen when she can’t leave without risking the wrath of Zeus or her father, Helios. That said, the writing is absolutely beautiful, almost lyrical. Some of the metaphors and dialogue had me in complete awe of Miller’s brain lol. I kept thinking there’s no way I could ever come up with something that eloquently phrased. Also, the audiobook narrator’s voice is genuinely mesmerizing and makes it incredibly hard to press pause. If you’re into Greek mythology or just love a strong retelling, this one is definitely worth the read. 

Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbert

GIRL ON GIRL: HOW POP CULTURE TURNED A GENERATION OF WOMEN AGAINST THEMSELVES by Sophie Gilbert

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: When did feminism lose its way? This question feels increasingly urgent in a moment of reactionary cultural and legislative backlash, when widespread uncertainty about the movement’s power, focus, and currency threatens decades of progress. Sophie Gilbert, a staff writer at The Atlantic and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism, provides one answer, identifying an inflection point in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the energy of third-wave and “riot girl” feminism collapsed into a regressive period of hyper-objectification, sexualization, and infantilization. Gilbert mines the darker side of nostalgia, training her keen analytic eye on the most revealing cultural objects of the era, across music, film, television, fashion, tabloid journalism, and more. And what she recounts is harrowing, from the unattainable aesthetic of Victoria’s Secret ads and explicit music videos to a burgeoning internet culture vicious towards women in the spotlight and damaging for those who weren’t. Gilbert tracks many of the period’s dominant themes back to the explosion of internet porn, tracing its widespread influence as it began to pervade our collective consciousness.

My Thoughts: This was FASCINATING. Honestly, it’s a wonder any of us millennial women made it out of the ’90s and early aughts even semi-functional and with a modicum of self-worth, because… SHEESH. The book breaks down how the content and cultural messaging across music, film, television, fashion, celebrities, and more shaped society’s expectations of how women should behave, act, look, think, etc.. My jaw was on the floor for most of this tbh. The author was shedding light on things I hadn’t even thought about in decades. What really stood out to me though was just how wildly contradictory it all was. For example, young women were expected to protect their virginity to avoid being labeled as “sluts,” yet entire blockbuster storylines, like American Pie, center on guys trying to get laid. Which, in turn, positions female characters as gatekeepers and having sex as the ultimate quest for young men. And don’t even get me started on body standards. We grew up in an era where extremely thin bodies were held up as the ideal (i.e. Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears-esque physique at that time), only for that standard to shift with the rise of the Kardashians to a “snatched waist with curves” aesthetic. Like, we really couldn’t win lol. Although I do think we’ve made some strides from where we were as a society at that time, there’s still PLENTY of this toxic messaging plaguing our cultural conversations today. Anyway, if it wasn’t already obvious, I would absolutely recommend this to anyone willing to pick it up.

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

DEAR DEBBIE by Freida McFadden

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Sometimes, enough is enough… Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction. Or at least, she did. These days, Debbie’s life seems to be spiraling out of control. She just lost her job. Something strange is happening with her teenage daughters. And her husband is keeping secrets, according to the tracking app she installed on his phone. Now, Debbie’s done being the bigger person. She’s done being reasonable and practical. It’s time to take her own advice. And now it’s time for payback against all the people in her life who deserve it the most.

My Thoughts: OKAY, FREIDA! I have to say, the last few Freida McFadden books I’ve read have started to feel a little similar, so this one was a really pleasant surprise. The story alternates between Debbie’s POV as she tries to maintain her perfectly curated life while it slowly unravels, and her husband’s POV as he scrambles to deal with losing his job while desperately trying to keep it from her. Y’all. If there’s one thing I loved about this book, it’s how unapologetically, lowkey unhinged Debbie Mullen is. Like do not mess with her unless you want to end up violently ill from some book club sandwiches or have your deepest, darkest secret blasted on the town’s main news site lol. Her diabolical shenanigans would honestly be more concerning if she weren’t doing (most of) it for the sake of her family. There are a lot of moving parts here, but I appreciated that it never felt hard to follow. The audiobook was incredibly bingeable, and I flew through it. The only reason I couldn’t give it a full five stars is that part of the twist didn’t feel super easy to catch. Looking back, sure, there are hints, but when everything was revealed, I was like, “Deb… how was I supposed to piece that together?” Anyway, if you love a good Freida McFadden thriller, this is definitely one of the more enjoyable ones I’ve read recently.

Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

GEEK LOVE by Katherine Dunn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: This is the story of the Binewskis, a carny family whose mater- and paterfamilias set out ― with the help of amphetamine, arsenic, and radioisotopes ― to breed their own exhibit of human oddities. There's Arturo the Aquaboy, who has flippers for limbs and a megalomaniac ambition worthy of Genghis Khan . . . Iphy and Elly, the lissome Siamese twins . . . albino hunchback Oly, and the outwardly normal Chick, whose mysterious gifts make him the family's most precious ― and dangerous ― asset. As the Binewskis take their act across the backwaters of the U.S., inspiring fanatical devotion and murderous revulsion; as its members conduct their own Machiavellian version of sibling rivalry, Geek Love throws its sulfurous light on our notions of the freakish and the normal, the beautiful and the ugly, the holy and the obscene. Family values will never be the same.

My Thoughts: Y’all… this book is fuckin weird lol. But also kind of endearing? It’s technically classified as horror, but I’d call it more of a cozy horror. Like, yes, there are some unapologetically disturbing and gross moments. However, the overall experience feels like slowly settling into the discomfort of it all, if that makes sense. The story is told primarily from the perspective of Oly Binewski—an albino hunchback and the youngest daughter of the Binewski carny family, known for their human oddities. While her disability isn’t “unique” enough to make her part of the show, she plays a key role in keeping everything running behind the scenes. The narrative shifts between past and present from Oly’s POV, but the earlier timeline is really where the meat of the story lives, and there’s A LOT going on. Between the Binewski family dysfunction, the power struggle between the eldest brother and their father over control of the show, a growing amputation cult, creepy side characters, attempted fratricide, and more, it’s equal parts unsettling and impossible to look away from. Huge credit to the author for creating such distinct, fully unique characters. They’re not necessarily likable characters, and most of them are a bit morally gray, but they’re definitely vivid in their own bizarre way. I will say, the climax felt a little rushed. After such a long, winding, chaotic journey with the Binewskis, everything seemed to wrap up in the span of maybe a page before we were abruptly pulled back into the present timeline. That said, I still genuinely enjoyed my time with the absolute shitshow that is Oly’s life, and I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up another “cozy horror” in the future lol.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice. It seems like any other day. You wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and head out. But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. The contents of this mysterious box tells you the exact number of years you will live. From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise? As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge? The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

My Thoughts: The first time I read this book was in 2024 (OG review) when we were only a couple years removed from wearing masks everywhere and coming off a very controversial presidential election. Two years later, my sentiment still stands: this is one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read. The story follows eight different characters as the world adjusts to a new normal where a mysterious box appears on everyone’s doorstep, containing a string whose length reveals how long they’ll live. Obviously that’s enough to plunge everyone into a mild Menty B. People can choose to open the box or leave their fate unknown, continuing life as they did before. Per usual in America, because we’re the worst, society quickly splits into long-stringers and short-stringers, and that “us vs. them” mentality starts plaguing everything: healthcare, politics, education, and more. This is a FANTASTIC pick if you’re in a book club and looking for something that will spark great conversation. It’s also just an incredible read in general if you want a story that forces you to pause, reflect, and think a little deeper about your life.  

Can’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

CAN’T GET ENOUGH by Kennedy Ryan (Skyland #3)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Hendrix Barry lives a fabulous life. She has phenomenal friends, a loving family, and a thriving business that places her in the entertainment industry's rarefied air. Your vision board? She’s probably living it. She’s a woman with goals, dreams, ambitions—always striving upward. And in the midst of everything, she's facing her toughest challenge caring for an aging parent. Who has time for romance? From her experience, there's a low ROI on relationships. Anyway, she hasn't met the man who can keep up with her. Until...him. Tech mogul Maverick Bell is a dilemma wrapped in an exquisitely tailored suit and knee-melting charm. From their first charged glance at the summer's hottest party, Hendrix feels like she’s met her match. Only he can’t be. Mav may be the first to make her feel this seen and desired, but he’s the last one she can have. Forbidden fruit is the juiciest, and this man is off limits if she plans to stay the course she’s set for herself. But when Maverick gives chase—pursuing her, spoiling her, understanding her—is it time to let herself have something more?

My Thoughts: I’ve said it in recent months’ reviews, but ya girl is just not in her romance era this year. So I was definitely nervous that mood was going to overshadow my experience with this book. However, I think because this story follows protagonists in their 40s—who are established, know what they want out of life and a partner, and actually have their priorities straight—it felt much more realistic instead of cheesy or overdone. Hendrix and Maverick initially connect over their shared experience of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s, and the friendship (and eventual relationship) that grows from there feels really organic. Maverick’s side is a bit more intense as he relentlessly, yet respectfully, pursues Hendrix. However, it’s still easy to see that she’s catching similar feelings, even as she’s torn between following her head or her heart. Another aspect I really loved is that Hendrix doesn’t want kids and sticks to that. I feel like so often authors have their female leads say they don’t want children, only to have them “meet the right person” and completely change their minds. And sure, that can happen. But women who are genuinely happy being the fun aunties to their friends’ kids feel so underrepresented in this genre, and we need more stories like this. If you’ve read other books in the Skyland series, or you’re just looking for a romance that feels a little more mature than usual, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: The Japanese phenomenon that teaches us the simple yet profound lessons required to liberate our real selves and find lasting happiness. The Courage to Be Disliked shows you how to unlock the power within yourself to become your best and truest self, change your future and find lasting happiness. Using the theories of Alfred Adler, one of the three giants of 19th-century psychology alongside Freud and Jung, the authors explain how we are all free to determine our own future free of the shackles of past experiences, doubts and the expectations of others. It’s a philosophy that’s profoundly liberating, allowing us to develop the courage to change, and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselves.

My Thoughts: Not sure where to start on this one. I’m not saying the title is complete clickbait, but it’s probably a big reason people pick this up if they don’t read the description first. *cough cough* Me lol. That said, it was a delightful surprise that the content is told through a narrative rather than the info-dump style most nonfiction self-help books lean toward. The story unfolds over a few days of conversations between a skeptical young man searching for a happier life and an older philosopher. Through these discussions, the philosopher breaks down the theories of psychologist Alfred Adler and how shifting your mindset can lead to a more liberated way of living. Listen, I can’t say I agreed with everything they discussed, and I do think if you already have a decent level of self-awareness, this book won’t feel as earth-shattering as the title promises. However, it was still interesting to noodle on some of the ideas. For example, the classic question: are you doing something good because it’s the right thing to do, or because you want recognition for it? Or the idea that parents shouldn’t praise or reprimand their children because each person is responsible for their own happiness. Even encouragement, like pushing kids to succeed academically or join extracurriculars, could be seen as self-serving, since it reflects back on the parents. So yeah. Did I get out of this what I expected? Not really. Would I recommend it? It’s short and a quick read, so if you’re in the mood to challenge your perspective and think a little differently about how you approach life, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

THE ASTRAL LIBRARY by Kate Quinn

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books. The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?

My Thoughts: Okay, we all know I’m a Kate Quinn STAN. Her historical fiction is basically an auto-recommend for me because she never misses, so I was so excited to see her dabble in a different genre. This book has the premise every bibliophile dreams of: imagine being able to step inside your favorite story, interact with its beloved characters, live in its world, and build a life there. Sounds pretty dope to me lol. After stumbling upon a mysterious door in the Boston Public Library, Alix Watson discovers she can do exactly that through the Astral Library. But before she even gets the chance to choose which book to enter, things go sideways, and she’s recruited as a library page to help The Librarian uncover who’s threatening the Astral Library. Y’all, this book was so fun. Quinn still taps into her historical fiction prowess as the characters dive into classic worlds like Sherlock Holmes, The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, and more. I loved the full-on literary adventure as Alix and The Librarian race to expose the antagonist while protecting the Astral Library and everyone in it. The only thing that pulled me out of the story a bit was how often Alix reiterates that she’s a size 22. There’s even a character who’s a fashion designer helping outfit her for each new world, which fit the story overall, but the repetition of stating her size felt unnecessary. Like, I promise we didn’t forget since the last time you told us lol. All that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed Quinn’s first stab at magical realism. If you already love her writing style from her historical fiction, I think you’ll have just as much fun with this one.

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

THE COMPOUND by Aisling Rawle

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Lily—a bored, beautiful twentysomething—wakes up on a remote desert compound alongside nineteen other contestants on a popular reality TV show. To win, she must outlast her housemates while competing in challenges for luxury rewards, such as champagne and lipstick, and communal necessities to outfit their new home, like food, appliances, and a front door. The cameras are catching all her angles, good and bad, but Lily has no desire to leave: Why would she, when the world outside is falling apart? As the competition intensifies, intimacy between the players deepens, and it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between desire and desperation. When the producers raise the stakes, forcing contestants into upsetting, even dangerous situations, the line between playing the game and surviving it begins to blur. If Lily makes it to the end, she'll receive prizes beyond her wildest dreams—but what will she have to do to win?

My Thoughts: UMMM. Take Love Island and add a lowkey Hunger Games twist? Hell yeah. Several people have recommended this book to me over the past few months, so I finally gave in, and it did not disappoint. This book was straight-up addicting. Packed with unlikable, morally gray characters, it was almost impossible to predict what would happen inside The Compound as housemates competed for everything from luxury items like clothes and jewelry to basic comforts like a fridge or a couch. As more contestants are evicted, the stakes get higher, the rewards get more extravagant, and the competitions get increasingly ruthless. Plus, the overall goal isn’t to end up in a couple, but to be the last man standing. U GUISE. This was such a suspenseful ride, mostly because of how unpredictable it all felt in this slightly eerie, unsettling way. I especially loved how the producers are treated like this mysterious, behind-the-scenes force. You never actually see them on the page, but they’re pulling every string, good and bad, throughout the entire experience. If you’re a fan of reality TV like Love Island or competition shows like Big Brother or Survivor, I think you’ll have a very good time with this one.

Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

HALF HIS AGE by Jennette McCurdy

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Waldo is ravenous. Horny. Blunt. Naive. Wise. Impulsive. Lonely. Angry. Forceful. Hurting. Perceptive. Endlessly wanting. And the thing she wants most of all: Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher with the wife and the kid and the mortgage and the bills, with the dead dreams and the atrophied looks and the growing paunch. She doesn’t know why she wants him. Is it his passion? His life experience? The fact that he knows books and films and things that she doesn’t? Or is it purer than that, rooted in their unlikely connection, their kindred spirits, the similar filter with which they each take in the world around them? Or, perhaps, it’s just enough that he sees her when no one else does.

My Thoughts: I felt so yucky reading this book lmao. Like, I was SOOOOO uncomfy. A few important things I need to state immediately: 1) DO NOT read this book if you haven’t read Jennette McCurdy’s memoir yet. I feel like it’s absolutely necessary to understand her real life traumas in order to truly appreciate the storyline here. 2) This is more of a bonus than it is necessary, but I listened to the Call Her Daddy podcast episode with Jennette talking about this book and it put a lot of things into perspective in a way that made me settle into the rest of the story better. 3) Don’t be fooled by my 2.5 star review. Although this is fiction, I think her raw, almost abrasive writing style definitely carried over, and I think that’s a huge facet to this novel’s experience. If you don’t already know, the book follows a 17-year-old girl, Waldo, who becomes obsessed with her creative writing teacher, Mr. Korgy, who is easily twice her age. After coming onto him a few times, the two begin an intense, secretive sexual relationship, hiding it from Korgy’s wife and everyone around them. Y’all. Ima say it again: I was so uncomfy lol. McCurdy pulls zero punches here. The book is vulgar, melancholy, and abrasive—it honestly left me feeling almost emotionally nauseous by the end. That said, she does a phenomenal job exploring the dynamics of an age-gap relationship: the imbalance of power, the addictive highs and devastating lows, and what happens when that kind of chaotic flame finally burns out. I don’t know if I can necessarily recommend this book, but if you do decide to read it, for once in my life, I DO NOT recommend the audiobook lol. It was rough in a way that forced you to move through it instead of stopping or jumping ahead of things.

She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson

SHE MEMES WELL by Quinta Brunson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: From Emmy Award-winning writer Quinta Brunson (creator and star of Abbott Elementary) comes a deeply personal and funny collection of essays about trying to make it when you're struggling, the importance of staying true to your roots, and how she's redefined humor online.  Quinta Brunson is a master at breaking the internet. Before having any traditional background in media, her humorous videos were the first to go viral on Instagram’s platform. From there, Brunson’s wryly observant POV helped cement her status in the comedy world at large, with roles on HBO, Netflix, ABC, Adult Swim, BuzzFeed , the CW, and Comedy Central. Now, Brunson is bringing her comedic chops to the page in She Memes Well, an earnest, laugh-out-loud collection about this unusual road to notoriety. In her debut essay collection, Quinta applies her trademark humor and heart to discuss what it was like to go from a girl who loved the World Wide Web to a girl whose face launched a thousand memes. With anecdotes that range from the ridiculous—like the time she decided to go clubbing wearing an outfit she describes as "Gary Coleman meets metrosexual pirate"—to more heartfelt material about her struggles with depression, Quinta's voice is entirely authentic and eminently readable. With its intimate tone and hilarious moments, She Memes Well will make you feel as if you're sitting down with your chillest, funniest friend.

My Thoughts: I kind of picked this book up on a whim after recently getting into Abbott Elementary, and when I tell you that show gets a solid 8–10 loud cackles out of me per episode, I’m not exaggerating. So naturally, I was excited to learn more about where Quinta Brunson got her start and how her comedy career has evolved. Y’all. This is the first time in a long time that I actually eyeball-read a memoir instead of going the audiobook route, but mainly because I couldn’t get it on Libby lol. Honestly though, experiencing her stories and essays on the page was just as enjoyable. I loved her writing style. It feels exactly like the way she talks, which is how I prefer to write as well, so it felt less like reading a polished, professionally edited book and more like sitting down to catch up with her over coffee. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at so many parts of her life: her family and upbringing, friendships and relationships, her comedic origin story, what it was like becoming an internet sensation through memes, and even heavier moments like losing a cousin to gun violence around the same time as George Floyd’s murder. While it’s clear she loves making people laugh, I really appreciated getting to see her more vulnerable side too. I believe this was written before the first season of Abbott Elementary aired, so I’d definitely be interested in hearing more about her life since then, but overall, this is a memoir I’d absolutely recommend.

That’s it for March!

Still have yet to name my sourdough starter, but I have started dabbling in some sourdough starter discard recipes and they are soooo good. To be fair, I don’t even name my endless houseplants, so committing to a name for my sourdough starter feels like a lot lol. 

2026 Book Count: 27

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads or StoryGraph.

February 2026 Reads

First off, bless the Winter Olympics for getting me through February this year. 

If I wasn’t chronically watching curling, figure skating, skiing, etc., I was oscillating between battling seasonal sads and trying not to fixate on how much longer we have with winter. So having sports to watch 24/7 was an absolute game changer for my mental health. 

My month in brief (clockwise): a little sad but at least the Olympics are on lol, introducing my new Bird of Paradise and look at those sourdough beauties.

The other thing that helped me get through the short month of cold and gray is putting a time limit on my Instagram app. It forced me to consume content much more intentionally instead of perpetually scrolling and then suddenly realizing an hour has passed since I last looked up from my phone.

Highly recommend the time limit feature if you haven’t tried it. 

Okie, I think that’s it for this intro. Let’s get into everything I read in February!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Meet Eleanor Oliphant: she struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding unnecessary human contact, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy. But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen, the three rescue one another from the lives of isolation that they had been living. Ultimately, it is Raymond’s big heart that will help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one. If she does, she'll learn that she, too, is capable of finding friendship—and even love—after all.

My Thoughts: I swear, ever since I got back into reading, this book pops up on a must-read list every few months. So I finally decided to take the plunge and see what all the hype was about. Y’all. I freaking loved Eleanor. She’s lived a very atypical life, struggles to grasp what’s appropriate to say or do in social settings, and is perfectly content living independently as a bit of a recluse. That is, until she and Raymond, the new IT guy at work, rescue an elderly man named Sammy who has fallen in the street and hit his head. Suddenly, Eleanor’s carefully curated routines and isolated life are disrupted as Sammy and Raymond slowly (and endearingly) weave themselves into her world. I freaking adored how unapologetically frank Eleanor is with everyone she encounters, and watching her friendship with Raymond grow was genuinely beautiful. It’s obvious she’s not used to having friends and doesn’t always know how to show up as one, but my heart squeezed every time she realized that Raymond, Sammy, and Sammy’s family truly wanted her around. There is definitely a darker undercurrent to this story, so check the trigger warnings. But if you’re looking for a book about found family, friendship, and healing through connection, this one feels like a warm cup of tea for the soul.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

THE JASAD HEIR by Sara Hashem

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic outlawed; its royal family murdered down to the last child. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe. The lost Heir of Jasad, Sylvia never wants to be found. She can’t think about how Nizahl’s armies laid waste to her kingdom and continue to hunt its people—not if she wants to stay alive. But when Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, staying one step ahead of death gets trickier. In a moment of anger, Sylvia’s magic is exposed, capturing Arin’s attention. Now, to save her life, Sylvia will have to make a deal with her greatest enemy. If she helps him lure the rebels, she’ll escape persecution. A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity even as hatred shifts into something more. Soon, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she left behind. The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

My Thoughts: This book felt like An Ember in the Ashes, Throne of Glass (the first one), and Artefacts of Ouranos had a chaotic fantasy love child, and somehow this was the offspring lol. The world-building isn’t super extensive, but that didn’t bother me much because the story leans more into the tangled politics of each kingdom and the mystery of why magic has slowly disintegrated over the past few decades. Sylvia is the lost heir to the Kingdom of Jasad, which was razed along with its entire royal family ten years ago. She’s been living in hiding ever since and would very much like to keep it that way. But keeping a low profile becomes increasingly difficult when the Nizhal Heir (basically the captain of the magic police) tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to the very town where Sylvia has been hiding. When she accidentally exposes her magic, he strikes a deal with her: help him lure the Jasadi out and compete in the Acalah, the realm’s triennial tournament, as his champion, and she’ll be granted freedom and protection for the rest of her life. This book was a straight hit of dopamine to my fantasy-loving brain. It has high-stakes political tension, an incredibly snarky and resilient protagonist, some forbidden royal attraction, enemies-to-lovers romance, and an incredibly broody boy. And on top of all that, there’s the creeping realization that you can’t always trust what Sylvia believes to be true. The only thing that slightly hindered my experience was the sheer number of character names to keep track of. Not everyone actually appears on the page, but when a character shares a name with the realm’s major river, it takes a second to figure out which one the sentence is referring to. While this didn’t blow me away quite as much as I’d hoped, I still had a great time reading it, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next book in the series later this year.

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

HARLEM SHUFFLE by Colson Whitehead (Harlem #1)

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: Ray Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked... To his customers and neighbors on 125th street, Carney is an upstanding salesman of reasonably priced furniture, making a decent life for himself and his family. He and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their second child, and if her parents on Striver's Row don't approve of him or their cramped apartment across from the subway tracks, it's still home. Few people know he descends from a line of uptown hoods and crooks, and that his facade of normalcy has more than a few cracks in it. Cracks that are getting bigger all the time. Cash is tight, especially with all those installment-plan sofas, so if his cousin Freddie occasionally drops off the odd ring or necklace, Ray doesn't ask where it comes from. He knows a discreet jeweler downtown who doesn't ask questions, either. Then Freddie falls in with a crew who plan to rob the Hotel Theresa--the Waldorf of Harlem--and volunteers Ray's services as the fence. The heist doesn't go as planned; they rarely do. Now Ray has a new clientele, one made up of shady cops, vicious local gangsters, two-bit pornographers, and other assorted Harlem lowlifes. Thus begins the internal tussle between Ray the striver and Ray the crook. As Ray navigates this double life, he begins to see who actually pulls the strings in Harlem. Can Ray avoid getting killed, save his cousin, and grab his share of the big score, all while maintaining his reputation as the go-to source for all your quality home furniture needs?

My Thoughts: This book had been on my radar for a while because I was absolutely blown away by Colson Whitehead’s writing in The Nickel Boys. While this one didn’t leave me in quite the same state of awe, it’s still undeniable that Whitehead is an incredibly talented writer. The story follows Ray Carney, a furniture salesman in Harlem who’s determined to build a better life for his family than the one he grew up with. He knows that not all the jewelry his cousin Freddie brings him is obtained ethically, but he convinces himself that if he doesn’t ask questions, he can’t really be considered crooked. Besides, the downtown jeweler he offloads the pieces to isn’t asking questions either. That is, until a heist Freddie gets involved in goes sideways and drags Ray straight into the fallout. Suddenly, straddling the line between small-time crook and respectable businessman isn’t something Ray can casually manage. He’s forced to operate on both sides just to stay alive and to protect the reputation he’s worked so hard to build. If I’m being honest, the first part of the book felt a little slow for me. I understand the need to establish Ray’s backstory and motivations, but it didn’t really grab me until the heist unravels and he’s thrust into this lowkey criminal underworld. From there, I was on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering if he’d trust the wrong person or make a choice that would put his family in danger. That said, the momentum plateaued a bit when the timeline jumped ahead several years, briefly summarizing some of Ray’s darker dealings before zeroing in on another rough patch. I was a little disappointed that I never felt fully immersed in the story. Still, Colson Whitehead’s talent is unmistakable, and I’ll likely pick up the second book in the series, Crook Manifesto, at some point. If you’re drawn to stories about morally gray characters trying to convince themselves they’re still good men, this would absolutely be worth your time.

Daydream by Hannah Grace

DAYDREAM by Hannah Grace (Maple Hills #3)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: When procrastination lands him in a difficult class with his least favorite professor, Henry Turner knows he’s going to have to work extra hard to survive his junior year of college. And now with his new role as ice hockey captain – which he didn’t even want – Henry absolutely cannot fail. Enter Halle Jacobs, a fellow junior who finds herself befriended by Henry when he accidentally crashes her book club. Halle may not have the romantic pursuits of her favorite fictional leads, but she’s an academic superstar, and when she hears about Henry’s problems with his class reading material, she offers to help. But being a private tutor isn’t exactly ideal given her own studies, job and the novel she’s trying to write. New experiences are the key to beating her writer’s block, though, and Henry’s promising to be the one to give them to her. They just need to stick to their rulebook. Oh, and not fall in love.

My Thoughts: CHEESE LOUISE! I can’t say for sure, but I think the only reason this didn’t hit harder is because I currently have zero interest in romance. Had I been in a swoony mood, this probably would’ve landed very differently lol. Don’t get me wrong, the story is genuinely sweet. You’ve got Henry, captain of the Maple Hills hockey team: good at basically everything he attempts, six-plus feet of solid muscle, unfairly handsome, and the kind of person people naturally gravitate toward. He’s also a little neurodivergent, which shows up in his zero filter and the routine-driven patterns his friends have come to know and love. Then there’s Halle, a junior fresh out of a relationship with the human embodiment of trash. She’s filling her schedule with new jobs and a book club to avoid thinking about how small her circle is. When her path crosses with Henry’s, their connection feels almost immediate. They slip into each other’s lives so effortlessly, and I honestly loved that their relationship was rooted in friendship first. Watching that foundation build before the lines started to blur into something more was one of my favorite parts. Like I said, this book is really sweet. However, I was almost bored with how nice it was? Even the spicier scenes were pretty endearing lmao? I was a big fan of Henry, especially how patient and understanding he was about Halle’s inexperience, both in friendship and in romantic situations. I also loved how gently he encouraged her to put herself first for once. And Halle was incredibly likable; I appreciated that she actually asked Henry what he needed instead of assuming she knew best. All of that to say, I don’t think this is a book I’ll think back on often. Not because I didn’t enjoy it, but I just know I’ll probably read something this year that leaves a bigger mark. If you’re looking for something on the spicier side that still feels soft, gentle, and low-drama, this would be a perfect pick.

Heartwood by Amity Gage

HEARTWOOD by Amity Gage

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker goes missing. She is forty-two-year-old Valerie Gillis, who has vanished 200 miles from her final destination. Alone in the wilderness, Valerie pours her thoughts into fractured, poetic letters to her mother as she battles the elements and struggles to keep hoping. At the heart of the investigation is Beverly, the determined Maine State Game Warden tasked with finding Valerie, who leads the search on the ground. Meanwhile, Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher in a Connecticut retirement community, becomes an unexpected armchair detective. Roving between these compelling narratives, a puzzle emerges, intensifying the frantic search, as Valerie’s disappearance may not be accidental.

My Thoughts: The beginning of this book was giving God of the Woods with a touch of The Return of Ellie Black vibes. So naturally, I thought it had all the fixin’s for a fast-paced, suspenseful mystery. I’m not stoked to share that it kind of fell flat for me. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy listening to the audiobook, but by the end, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it could’ve been done better? The story follows three women: Valerie, a 42-year-old hiker who goes missing on the Appalachian Trail; Beverly, the Maine State Game Warden heading the search; and Lena, a 76-year-old antisocial forager living in a Connecticut retirement community. As the POV alternates between them, you slowly piece together what might’ve happened to Valerie near the last known stretch of her hike, and where she might be now. While it was fairly easy to connect the dots in this missing person case, the tension came more from not knowing whether they’d find her in time. That said, because the mystery itself wasn’t particularly difficult to unravel, the ending didn’t land as a huge, jaw-dropping twist. Like I said, I really enjoyed the audiobook experience. It’s a full cast, super easy to binge, and that definitely elevated the story for me. But I don’t think we spent quite enough time with each woman to form a strong emotional connection, which made some of the stakes feel a little muted. Overall, if you’re looking for a suspenseful mystery with light tension, minimal gore, and a great audiobook production, this could absolutely be worth your time. As an eyeball read, though, I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to recommend it.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: At seventeen, Lenora Hope. Hung her sister with a rope. Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred. Stabbed her father with a knife. Took her mother’s happy life. It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything. “It wasn’t me,” Lenora said. But she’s the only one not dead. As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought.

My Thoughts: This was my first Riley Sager book, and it absolutely will not be my last because WOW. This story had me completely HOOKED. Kit is a home health aide who, after what happened with her last patient, has basically been blacklisted from the caregiving industry. So when her boss offers her the only assignment available—caring for Lenora Hope, the woman at the center of the town’s infamous schoolyard chant about murdering her family—she doesn’t really have the luxury of saying no. With no other job prospects and nowhere else to turn, Kit reluctantly agrees. She moves into Hope’s End, a mildly dilapidated seaside mansion, determined to uncover the truth about what happened on that deadly night in 1929. Lenora has offered to tell her everything. The only catch? The only part of Lenora’s body that still works is her left hand, so she can communicate solely by typing out her story. Listen. I know I’m bad at spotting whodunnit, but I did not call a single plot twist in this book. Not one. There were so many red herrings woven into the story, and while I’m proud that not all of them fooled me, I can fully admit that even 90% of the way through, I could not have predicted half of what was revealed in the end. This novel was twisty, suspenseful, and kept me constantly on my toes. If you’re into mystery/thrillers with quality characters and a longer, well-developed plotline, I highly recommend giving this one a try.

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

CULPABILITY by Bruce Holsinger

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret that implicates them in the accident. During a weeklong recuperation on the Chesapeake Bay, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. Noah tries to hold the family together as a seemingly routine police investigation jeopardizes Charlie’s future. Alice and Izzy turn strangely furtive. And Lorelei’s odd behavior tugs at Noah’s suspicions that there is a darker truth behind the incident—suspicions heightened by the sudden intrusion of Daniel Monet, a tech mogul whose mysterious history with Lorelei hints at betrayal. When Charlie falls for Monet’s teenaged daughter, the stakes are raised even higher in this propulsive family drama that is also a fascinating exploration of the moral responsibility and ethical consequences of AI.

My Thoughts: This would be the PERFECT pick for a book club because it would drum up sooo much discussion around one of the most relevant topics dominating our conversations right now: AI. After a tragic car accident, Noah is left trying to keep his family together. His son was at the wheel, even though the car’s auto-drive feature was turned on, and every member of the family remembers something different about the moments leading up to the crash. However, not everyone is being completely honest about what they recall. In an attempt to regroup and heal, the family heads to Chesapeake Bay for a weeklong vacation. But with each passing day, a new dark revelation surfaces that could end with Noah’s 17-year-old son in jail instead of heading to Duke in the fall. This book has so many layers to sort through. The characters are incredibly well-developed, but also deeply imperfect. It wasn’t hard to sympathize with their situation, yet they also OOZED white privilege in the way the investigation unfolded, which meant I wasn’t always rooting for them. One aspect of the story I found especially fascinating was Noah’s wife, Lorelei, who is renowned in the tech world for her philosophical stances on who gets to decide what ethics are programmed into AI systems. Several of her journal entries genuinely left me wondering why there aren’t more regulations surrounding the development of artificial intelligence. On top of that, the book really puts our dependence on technology, and the growing integration of AI into our daily lives, front and center in a way that’s hard to ignore. If you’re looking for a quick read that will absolutely make you think and reflect on some bigger questions, this one definitely delivers.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

THE CHARM OFFENSIVE by Alison Cochrun

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star. Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off. As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

My Thoughts: All right. Although it took me FOREVER and a day to finish this because I’ve had zero motivation to eyeball-read lately, I definitely enjoyed it! Especially with a new season of The Bachelorette right around the corner (any Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fans?? IYKYK), this book felt like a warm little shot straight to the chest cavity. Dev is a hopeless romantic who has always believed in fairy-tale endings. That belief only gets reinforced when he joins the production team of the reality dating show Ever After. Even though he’s never experienced that kind of love himself, he sees the show as the ultimate example of finding something magical. This season’s Prince Charming, however, is super hot tech guru Charlie Winshaw, and despite his role on the show, this man is anything but charming. When Dev is reassigned to be Charlie’s handler for the entire season, he makes it his mission to turn Charlie into the heartthrob America expects. Listen, I loved how thoughtfully this book handled mental health issues and invisible disabilities. Between Charlie’s OCD and anxiety disorder and Dev’s chronic depression, it felt incredibly real watching them learn how to show up for each other during difficult moments. Their personalities are complete opposites, yet somehow they fit together perfectly. I especially loved how their friendship organically grew into this layered romance they had to keep hidden from the show’s production team. Not to mention, it was really refreshing toward the end that both Dev and Charlie were pushed to work on themselves before a relationship outside the show could actually work. It removed that looming sense of potential codependency and made their connection feel much healthier. If you’re looking for a book that balances lighthearted fun with more complex, thoughtful themes, this is a perfect pick.

That’s it for February!

Still workshopping a name for my sourdough starter for those who were wondering, but I’ll report back at the end of March.  

2026 Book Count: 16

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads or StoryGraph.

January 2026 Reads

VERY audacious of January to make it feel like it lasted 60 days AND put the midwest through three straight weeks of single-, ~feels like~, negative-digit temperatures. 

To be honest, this wasn’t my favorite January: it’s been stupid cold, I had something abruptly end in my personal life, and the seasonal sads be hittin’ RULL hard lately. However, I am nothing if not a half-glass-full household of one over here, and if the year started a little low, we can only go up from here. Am I right? 😅

I also kicked off 2026 with two 2-star reads but as the month went on, the books got better which is all I can really ask for. 

On a positive note, I have FINALLY entered my sourdough era. 💅 So look out world. Your girl’s starter is fed, bubbling and thriving. Before you ask, no it does not have a name yet, but we’re getting there, and I will report back once she’s been dubbed.

Now, let’s get into everything I read this month. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Firebird by Juliette Cross

FIREBIRD by Juliette Cross

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: Julian Dakkia, Roman general and nephew to the emperor, has played his role as conqueror well. Yet, the moment he laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the Dacian dancer. Years later, the fierce beauty stands before him, a captive on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her, an action that may mean his head on the imperial gate. The rules of their world dictate that he is the conqueror and she is the captured. But he and his dragon know one thing: their bond has nothing to do with the laws of mighty Rome. She belongs to them. And they belong to her. Fierce and powerful, twenty-one-year old Malina has survived the loss of her family and she is determined to fight until her dying breath. Still, she can’t believe that the centurion who had once bestowed a secret talisman on her is the Roman general of legendary brutality…and now holds her life in his hands. Nor can she deny how her soul has always seemed to answer his. Slowly she learns that Julian is caught in his mad uncle’s machinations for domination, and helps him plot the downfall of the empire itself. As they navigate a world where flying deathriders conquer and burn, their love will ignite a firestorm that can only end in heartbreak or death. Or both.

My Thoughts: Mmm okay. The main reason I picked up this audiobook was because I won a free copy of the next book in the series through StoryGraph, and I wanted to know where it all started before diving into that. I don’t want to say I blatantly didn’t like it because I definitely would’ve DNF’ed if I loathed it, but I also can’t say I loved it. The writing itself was fine, I just didn’t really connect with the main characters: Julian, a Roman general, and Malina, a village dancer. Their relationship also felt a little over-the-top for me. Not to yuck anyone’s yum, but the whole slave/master trope dynamic after Julian saves Malina because the dragon inside him decides she “belongs” to him wasn’t really my thing. The magic system surrounding the Roman army’s ability to shift into dragons also left me a bit confused. It was described like the dragon is a completely separate entity, yet somehow still part of each man? And then it made me wonder: is it the dragon that’s obsessed with her, or does Julian genuinely have feelings too? You know? Overall, I don’t think this book was for me. Will I continue on to the free audiobook of the next book in the series? Honestly, undecided.

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor

HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE by Emily J. Taylor

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town. The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets. With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.

My Thoughts: When I saw this book described as being perfect for “fans of Caraval and The Night Circus,” I was immediately sold. I found it at one of the used bookstores in Ann Arbor and was so excited to dive in, especially since The Night Circus is one of my all-time favorite standalone fantasies. Y’all… I regret to report that this was such a disappointment. The plot somehow manages to have SO MUCH happening while also making it feel like absolutely nothing is moving the story forward. The characters all felt half-baked and extremely surface-level, which made it really hard to connect with any of them. The main character, Jani, is supposedly driven by her deep bond with her younger sister Zosa and her determination to save them both from this bizarre, backwards hotel. But we never actually see that bond in an impactful way that made me buy into it. The audiobook is nearly 15 hours long, and by the time I reached the end, I simply did not care lol. Even when Jani starts having epiphanies left and right, all the connections she’s making feel way too convenient - like puzzle pieces snapping together just to wrap things up. Ultimately, the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze on this one.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN by Jacqueline Harpman

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Deep underground, forty women live imprisoned in a cage. Watched over by guards, the women have no memory of how they got there, no notion of time, and only a vague recollection of their lives before. As the burn of electric light merges day into night and numberless years pass, a young girl—the fortieth prisoner—sits alone and outcast in the corner. Soon she will show herself to be the key to the others' escape and survival in the strange world that awaits them above ground.

My Thoughts: This book has been on my radar for a while, and I’ll admit I was hesitant to pick it up because of the summary. But after seeing it pop up on a few people’s top books of 2025 wrap-ups on Bookstagram, I finally decided to take the plunge. Let me just say, I finished this at least two weeks ago and already know I’ll still be thinking about it months from now. For such a short read, it really packs a punch. This is a work of speculative science fiction that makes you ask every possible question in a post-apocalyptic setting. Told from the perspective of one young woman, you’re taken on an unpredictable journey of growing up in the only dystopian world you’ve ever known or can recall, surrounded by people who remember what the world was like before. Without giving too much away, this thought-provoking narrative has a winding plotline, strong character development, and leaves you with more questions than answers. I can’t say I felt fully satisfied by the end, but I honestly think that’s kind of the point. If you’re ready for a book to stick to your brain like windblown hair to fresh lip gloss, you must pick this one up.

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross

WILD REVERENCE by Rebecca Ross

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic she uses to carry words and letters through the realms. But the gods will kill for power, and Matilda holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest allies. And there is a mortal who dreams of her, though they have never met in the waking world. Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life—begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. His request went unanswered, and Vincent became a hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda . . . until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him. Matilda and Vincent were fated to find each other beyond dreams. But to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, Matilda will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: finally allowing herself to be loved.

My Thoughts: Rebecca Ross has an incredible ability to transport me straight into her writing, and I was absolutely obsessed with her Letters of Enchantment duology (Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows), so unsurprisingly for me, this book ATE. Matilda is born of both the skyward gods and the underlings, and as the goddess of heralds, her ability to travel freely between all three realms is something no other god possesses. When she befriends Vincent, a boy in the mortal realm, he quickly becomes the only person she truly feels safe with – until her mother’s death forces Matilda to flee to the upper realm for her own protection. Years later, they’re thrown together again due to a tragedy woven by death, and all the feelings they’ve long buried begin to resurface as Vincent defends his castle from his disgruntled uncle’s army. U GUISE. This was so freaking good. I loved that although empathy is viewed as a weakness no god or goddess should possess—especially toward mortals—it ultimately becomes one of Matilda’s greatest strengths. As other gods attempt to take advantage of her kindness, she’s forced to grow more clever to avoid being used, manipulated, or killed by those who mistake her compassion for fragility. And do NOT get me started on the raw, heart-wrenching YEARNING radiating between Vincent and Matilda. Not just romantic longing, but that deep, aching need to be with the one person you can trust completely. Per usual, the character development was chef’s kiss, and even the side characters (obsessed with Bade) had so much depth and added incredible richness to the story. While this didn’t necessarily end the way I expected, I absolutely loved how Rebecca Ross tied it back to the Letters of Enchantment duology (even though I don’t believe this book was intended as a prequel.) Honestly, if you’re looking for a well-rounded, fae-less fantasy that’s as beautifully written as it is endearingly warm, you have to pick this one up.

The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan

THE OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS: ESSAYS AND STORIES by Marina Keegan

Rating: 4 /5 stars

Summary: Marina Keegan’s star was on the rise when she graduated magna cum laude from Yale in May 2012. She had a play that was to be produced at the New York International Fringe Festival and a job waiting for her at the New Yorker. Tragically, five days after graduation, Marina died in a car crash. As her family, friends, and classmates, deep in grief, joined to create a memorial service for Marina, her unforgettable last essay for the Yale Daily News, “The Opposite of Loneliness,” went viral, receiving more than 1.4 million hits. She had struck a chord. Even though she was just twenty-two when she died, Marina left behind a rich, expansive trove of prose that, like her title essay, captures the hope, uncertainty, and possibility of her generation. The Opposite of Loneliness is an assem­blage of Marina’s essays and stories that, like The Last Lecture, articulates the universal struggle that all of us face as we figure out what we aspire to be and how we can harness our talents to make an impact on the world.

My Thoughts: The backstory of this book is heartbreaking, but the content itself is absolutely stunning. As mentioned above, Marina Keegan was a Yale graduate with big dreams of becoming a renowned writer. Just five days after graduation, she died in a fatal car crash. This book is a compilation of short stories, essays, and other pieces she wrote during her time in college. There’s no question that Marina was an incredibly talented writer who would have taken the literary world by storm. Her fictional pieces completely blew me away—they carried me through a wide range of emotions and left me wondering how she even came up with premises that clever in the first place. Honestly, this is the kind of collection I would reread because the stories are so memorable. I highly recommend picking this one up because it deserves to have more eyeballs on it. 

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

NOT QUITE DEAD YET by Holly Jackson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In seven days Jet Mason will be dead. Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. I’ll do it later, she always says. She has time. Until Halloween night, when Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder. She suffers a catastrophic head injury. The doctor is certain that within a week, the injury will trigger a deadly aneurysm. Jet has never thought of herself as having enemies. But now she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend. She has at most seven days, and as her condition deteriorates she has only her childhood friend Billy for help. But nevertheless, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something: Jet is going to solve her own murder.

My Thoughts: This book won the 2025 Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller, and since the premise immediately intrigued me, I figured I’d grab the audiobook on Libby as soon as it became available. I’m not traditionally a mystery/thriller girly, but over the last couple of years I’ve definitely warmed up to the genre, and this book had all the elements I tend to love in a twisty murder plot. There’s plenty of dark humor to break up the serious parts of Jet’s investigation into who tried to murder her. She’s also an unreliable narrator thanks to a severe head injury, which means you’re constantly questioning what’s real and what isn’t. On top of that, she’s kind of unhinged because she’s got nothing to lose at this point, so some of her choices were absolutely BONKERS lol. Add in a limited timeline that doubles down on the urgency to solve this mystery, and by the time I was nearing the big reveal, I was suspicious of EVERRRRYBODY. Literally every new chapter, I was like, “Now wait just a minute…?” 👀🤨 Without spoiling anything, I kind of loved that the ending was nowhere near what I expected. It managed to feel both unsatisfying and completely wrapped up at the same time, but in a good way? Honestly, I totally get why this book took home the award, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a mystery/thriller with a slightly different vibe.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing, eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late?

My Thoughts: Okay, this was much more the vibe I was hoping to get from Killers of a Certain Age last month. I will say, though, this is one of the first books where I kind of wish I’d read the physical copy instead of listening to the audiobook. It felt very character-driven, with no consistent sense of where the plot was heading, largely because each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective. At times, it was hard to keep track of who we were following or which new character was being introduced. That said, the characters themselves were incredibly entertaining in that very specific way older people can be – endearing, annoying, and full of deeply ingrained personality quirks (I’m not talking about you, mom and dad, if you read this review lol). While the story felt a bit messy at first, the direction of the plot became much clearer as it went on. By the end, I felt like the mysteries introduced throughout were wrapped up in a pretty satisfying way. This didn’t completely blow me away, but I did enjoy it overall. I haven’t watched the Netflix adaptation yet, but honestly, if people are saying the movie stays close to the book, it might actually be easier to just watch that instead of committing the time to reading this one. 😬

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

MY FRIENDS by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an aspiring artist herself, knows otherwise, and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures. Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant seaside town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their bruising home lives by spending long summer days on an abandoned pier, telling silly jokes, sharing secrets, and committing small acts of rebellion. These lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream, a reason to love. Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be placed into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. She embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn how the painting came to be and to decide what to do with it. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more nervous she becomes about what she’ll find. Louisa is proof that happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this stunning testament to the transformative, timeless power of friendship and art.

My Thoughts: Y’ALL. I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year. I genuinely don’t think any review I write will do it justice, but I’ll try. Fredrik Backman has this incredible ability to gently pull you into a story and before you even realize it, you’re fully invested in the characters’ lives. This literary experience was no exception. It started with me casually following Louisa into that art show, and then suddenly I was sitting one seat over on the train with her and Ted, listening as he recounted the endless shenanigans his friend group got into one summer 25 years ago. I loved how the story shifts between multiple POVs and bounces between timelines as Louisa uncovers the origin story of her favorite artist, who also happens to be Ted’s best friend. When I say I would get genuinely excited to go on long car rides just so I could listen to this audiobook is an understatement. This book felt like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and sitting among your favorite people. It was equal parts gut-punching and laugh-out-loud funny in the most human way possible. The banter between 18-year-old Louisa and her disgruntled travel companion, 39-year-old Ted, had me jump-scare-cackling more times than I can count. And, don’t even get me started on the dynamics between the teenagers of summer’s past. 🤭 There are themes of found family, the power of friendship, grief and loss, and so much more. I was feeling pretty depressy when I started listening, and even though the story doesn’t shy away from heavier subjects, it felt like a healing balm to my heart. I don’t know what else to say, y’all. This book has officially become my entire personality, and honestly, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you haven’t read it yet lol.

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL: ADVENTURES IN THE CULINARY UNDERBELLY by Anthony Bourdain

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Over two decades ago, the New Yorker published a now infamous article, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” by then little-known chef Anthony Bourdain. Bourdain spared no one’s appetite as he revealed what happens behind the kitchen door. The article was a sensation, and the book it spawned, the now iconic Kitchen Confidential, became an even bigger sensation and megabestseller. Frankly confessional, addictively acerbic, and utterly unsparing, Bourdain pulls no punches in this memoir of his years in the restaurant business.

My Thoughts: Listen, this is one of those books that really solidifies my belief that everyone should work in the restaurant industry at least once in their lives - for the sheer character building alone. It also serves as a very strong reminder of why I don’t think I could ever do it again lol. For someone who went on to become such a massive name in the culinary world, I was honestly surprised by how Anthony Bourdain spent the early years of his career. Hearing his anecdotes about some of the most disgusting, depraved, absolute shithole restaurant crews he worked with was equal parts entertaining and shocking. The locker-room culture of those kitchens was genuinely appalling, but I appreciated how candid he was about it. He also dives into the ins and outs of the industry: what day-to-day restaurant operations actually look like, how to work with purveyors, the telltale signs of a failing restaurant, and so much more. Whether you’ve worked in a restaurant or not, I really think this is a memoir just about anyone could enjoy. The only trigger warning I have is that he does talk about a lot of kitchen injuries and there’s a few mentions of situations DRIPPING with misogyny. 🤢

Welp. *Slaps thighs and stands abruptly* That’s it for January.

I hope you all have a lovely start to February and I will keep you posted on the name of my sourdough starter even though you did not ask for it. 🙂

2026 Book Count: 9

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads or StoryGraph.

My Favorite Books of 2025

Welp. We’re already almost a full month into the new year. How’s your 2026 reading goal going so far?

For the record, I don’t think your goal needs to be number-based. It can be something as arbitrary as finally picking up that book your friend has recommended to you 17x. You know, the one you SWORE you were going to read last year…and then absolutely did not. 

As a mood reader, I’m that friend. The one who can’t just pick up ANY book as my next one. What if I’m in the mood for a thriller instead of a romance? We can break that down even further: what if I’m more into stabby-stabby than cozy mystery? True crime vs. unreliable narrator?

There is honestly no rhyme or reason. We are truly going off vibes over here lol. 

And while I know not everyone is a mood reader, some of you seemed to enjoy My Favorite Books of 2024 post from last year. So we’re running it back again lol.

Whether you’ve made it your 2026 mission to get back into reading or already (re)started your literary ventures, I figured I’d provide some of my favorite books from 2025 that you can consider for your next read.

Per usual, a couple of notes:

• These books weren’t necessarily published in 2025. I just read them in 2025.

• I’ll link each book to the respective blog post on my website in which it was reviewed. That way, if you want to see a more elaborate explanation as to why a specific book made the cut for this blog, you can. 🙂

Fantasy/Romantasy

FANTASY/ROMANTASY

The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig

Basic Premise: Sybil Delling, a Diviner bound to a cathedral for nine years, foresees the future through prophetic dreams sent by the Omens. When her fellow Diviners begin to mysteriously disappear, she’s forced beyond the safety of the cloister and reluctantly teams up with a heretical knight to confront gods, danger, and a fate she never dreamed of choosing.

Read if you like: Gothic, atmospheric fantasies, slow-burn romances, simpler magic systems, character-driven quests, a side character that will make you cackle out loud at 2AM from their one liners then make you cry in the same breath from how endearing they are.

Find my full review here.

Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Falling in Love - Brigitte Knightley

Basic Premise: Hermione Granger, a brilliant Healer and medical researcher on the brink of a major magical breakthrough, is forced to accept protection from Draco Malfoy, an Auror neither of them particularly wants involved.

Read if you like: Beautifully written fanfiction, slow burns, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, equally swoony and cringey situations, Harry Potter nostalgia but with a twist that you can appreciate as an adult lol. 

Find my full review here.

Young Adult (YA) Fantasy

YOUNG ADULT (YA) FANTASY 

Rebel Witch - Kristen Ciccarelli

Basic Premise: Hunted for being a witch, Rune Winters is forced into a dangerous alliance to overthrow the Republic, putting her directly at odds with Gideon Sharpe—the witch hunter who once loved her and now wants her dead. When an impossible bargain forces them to work together, old feelings resurface and Gideon must choose between saving the world he fought for or the woman he can’t stop loving.

Read if you like: regency era romances, enemies-to-lovers, simple magic structures, a kick ass and feisty heroine that just can’t seem to follow the rules, phenomenal duologies, books that make it hard to do anything productive because you just can’t put it down.

Find my full review here.

Side note: I read a physical copy as soon as I could get my hands on one and then proceeded to listen to it again via the audiobook about a week later lol. 

Sunrise on the Reaping - Suzanne Collins

Basic Premise: Sixteen-year-old Haymitch Abernathy is thrown into the fiftieth Hunger Games, where twice the usual number of tributes are forced to fight to the death during the brutal Quarter Quell. Set up to fail, Haymitch must decide whether to simply survive or turn the Games into an act of defiance that reaches far beyond the arena’s walls.

Read if you like: Hunger Games nostalgia, prequels done well, heart-racing situations, knowing how this book ends but still being emotionally unprepared for it, backstories that make you whisper “THIS is who hurt you omg” with every tragic moment.

Find my full review here.

Mystery/Thrillers

MYSTERY/THRILLER

Listen for the Lie - Amy Tintera

Basic Premise: Years after being found covered in her best friend’s blood and branded a suspected murderer, Lucy has built a new life—until a hit true crime podcast drags her back to her Texas hometown to reopen the case. With no memory of the night Savvy died, Lucy must uncover the truth, even if it means proving she’s the killer.

Read if you like: books that are unputdownable, true crime, formats that incorporate excerpts from podcast conversations, switching timelines, unreliable narrators.

Find my full review here.

The Frozen River - Ariel Lawhon

Basic Premise: In 1789 Maine, midwife Martha Ballard is called to examine a man found frozen in the river, whose death may be tied to a rape she recorded months earlier involving powerful townsmen. When her findings are dismissed, Martha launches her own investigation, risking her reputation and relationships to uncover the truth.

Read if you like: strong female protagonists, historical fiction, women busting out of the box society put them in, mansplaining to a man lol. 

Find my full review here.

Romance

ROMANCE

Not Another Love Song - Julie Soto

Basic Premise: Rival musical prodigies Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne clash when Gwen lands the coveted First Chair role he’s always wanted, turning professional tension into undeniable chemistry. As their rivalry transforms into a high-stakes romance, fame and publicity threaten to derail both their careers and their growing relationship.

Read if you like: a fantastically done slow burn, YEARNING, enemies-to-lovers but make it orchestral, “I respect your art, but also want to cut your bow strings,” books that make you feel like you totally understand music when you can barely hold a tune. 

Find my full review here.

First-Time Caller - B.K. Borison

Basic Premise: When a viral call puts single mom Lucie Stone’s love life in the spotlight, she becomes the unexpected focus of a romance campaign led by Aiden Valentine, a jaded radio host who’s lost faith in love. As on-air matchmaking turns into real chemistry, both must decide whether their happily-ever-after belongs to the show or to each other.

Read if you like: fantastic banter, grumpy/sunshine, relatable characters, a male protagonist that sets the bar for sweetness, single-parent tropes, late-night radio shows and confessions, romances that aren’t about grand gestures but all of the little things added up.

Find my full review here.

Rewind It Back - Liz Tomforde

Basic Premise: Six years after a painful breakup, childhood sweethearts Hallie Hart and pro hockey player Rio DeLuca are thrown back into each other’s lives when Hallie unknowingly moves in next door and is hired to renovate his house. Forced into each other’s orbits, old wounds and long-buried feelings resurface, challenging everything they thought they’d left behind.

Read if you like: Forced-proximity, second chance romances, girl-next-door, the sweetest hockey player and evolved man, stories that make your stomach swoop and squeeze from the cuteness. 

Find my full review here.

Fiction (Contemporary/Literary)

FICTION (CONTEMPORARY/LITERARY)

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

Basic Premise: Grieving widow Tova Sullivan finds solace working nights at an aquarium, where she forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a brilliant and cantankerous octopus. As Marcellus pieces together the truth behind her son’s decades-old disappearance, he sets out to deliver the answers Tova has been waiting a lifetime to hear.

Read if you like: unlikely friendships, clever animals with big personalities, multiple POVs, character-driven stories, books that feel like wrapping arms around your heart and giving it a big SQUEEZE.

Find my full review here.

The Wedding People - Alison Espach

Basic Premise: At a lavish wedding weekend in Newport, Phoebe Stone checks into a luxury inn alone and is mistaken for a guest, hiding the fact that she’s there to nurse a broken heart and indulge in one last splurge for herself. When she unexpectedly bonds with the tightly wound bride, the two form an unlikely connection that upends both of their carefully laid plans.

Read if you like: perfectly and incredibly flawed main characters, witty narratives, awkward yet quirky situations, dark humor, found family, coastal grandma aesthetic. 

Find my full review here.

Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid

Basic Premise: When astronomy professor Joan Goodwin is selected to join NASA’s first class of women scientists training for the space shuttle in 1980, her quiet life is transformed by ambition, friendship, and unexpected love. As she prepares for her first mission, a catastrophic event forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about her future and her place in the universe.

Read if you like: to ugly cry in the middle of the afternoon because you thought you could casually finish this book during the workday, badass women in STEM, sapphic romances, slow-burns, stories that will absolutely WRECK you emotionally and yet the author has the AUDACITY to not include an epilogue…???

Find my full review here.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - Robert Dugoni

Basic Premise: Born with striking red eyes and called “Devil Boy,” Sam Hill grew up feeling different, finding friendship and chaos in unexpected classmates. Forty years later, as a small-town eye doctor, he revisits his past and embarks on a journey that forces him to confront the events that shaped him and discover what truly matters.

Read if you like: Heartfelt coming‑of‑age stories, lifelong friendships, character-driven plots, multiple timelines, getting misty-eyed at the worst moments, books that make you want to give the main protagonist a big ‘ol cuddle and a cup of hot cocoa. 

Find my full review here.

Historical Fiction

HISTORICAL FICTION

The Lion Women of Tehran - Marjan Kamali

Basic Premise: In 1950s Tehran, young Ellie finds friendship and joy with spirited Homa amid a life upended by her father’s death, only to drift apart when her family regains its former comfort. Years later, their reunion amid Iran’s political turmoil tests their bond, ambitions, and the impact of a devastating betrayal.

Read if you like: raw and gritty coming-of-age stories, exploring other cultures, resilient women, plots following evolving friendships that stretch decades, learning more about political uprises. 

Find my full review here.

The Briar Club - Kate Quinn

Basic Premise: In 1950s Washington, D.C., the women of Briarwood House form unexpected friendships around the enigmatic widow Grace March, whose charm begins to heal their hidden wounds. But when a violent act exposes dangerous secrets, they must confront the true enemy among them.

Read if you like: multiple POVs, vivid 1950s imagery that suck you into the retro setting, books that include fun period details like recipes, female friendships, rich character development, A League of Their Own. 

Find my full review here.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store - James McBride

Basic Premise: In 1972 Pottstown, Pennsylvania, the discovery of a buried skeleton uncovers decades of secrets in the tight-knit, diverse neighborhood of Chicken Hill. Amid struggles with prejudice and injustice, residents like Chona Ludlow and Nate Timblin unite to protect their community and a deaf boy from institutionalization.

Read if you like: layered stories, quirky characters, fantastic audiobook narrators, unlikely friendships, books that explore race, community, and justice in the face of prejudice.

Find my full review here.

The Great Believers - Rebecca Makkai

Basic Premise: In 1985 Chicago, art director Yale Tishman navigates career success while the AIDS epidemic claims his friends, leaving him isolated with only Fiona, his late friend’s sister. Thirty years later, Fiona confronts the lasting impact of the crisis while searching for her estranged daughter, weaving together past and present struggles for hope amid heartbreak.

Read if you like: multi-generational stories that blend the past and present, character-driven plots, narratives about friendship and heartbreak, learning about important eras in our country’s history, crying while cleaning your kitchen because you’ve grown protective of a main character and want all the best for them. 

Find my full review here.

West with Giraffes - Lynda Rutledge

Basic Premise: At 105, Woodrow Wilson Nickel recalls the unforgettable adventure of his youth: a twelve-day road trip in 1938 to deliver two rare giraffes to the San Diego Zoo amid the lingering Great Depression and a world on the brink of war.

Read if you like: fiction inspired by true stories, road trips with vivid imagery, unlikely friendships, animals with endearing personalities, rooting for an underdog, dual timelines. 

Find my full review here.

Science Fiction

SCIENCE FICTION

Severance - Ling Ma

Basic Premise: When a mysterious plague devastates New York, Candace Chen survives alone, documenting the abandoned city as the anonymous blogger NY Ghost. Her solitude ends when a group of survivors arrives, but their leader’s ambitions and her dangerous secret force her to decide whether to trust or escape them.

Read if you like: dystopian settings, thought-provoking narratives, satires, office life but make it apocalyptic, laughing while being extremely uncomfy, realizing the story you’re reading doesn’t feel too far fetched, asking yourself multiple times “what would I do in this situation tho?”

Find my full review here.

Classics

CLASSICS

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

Basic Premise: This classic novel follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up in 19th-century New England, navigating family, love, and personal ambitions. Through joys and hardships, the sisters learn about resilience, sisterhood, and finding their own paths in a changing world.

Read if you like: cottagecore, coming-of-age, character-driven stories, charming sister bonds, books that feel like drinking a cup of warm soup.

Find my full review here.

The Princess Bride - William Goldman

Basic Premise: When Buttercup’s true love, Westley, is believed dead, she is swept into a tale of adventure, romance, and danger filled with giants, swordsmen, and cunning villains. 

Read if you like: fantastic audiobooks, plots that are just absolutely silly, fairytale worlds, epic sword fights, witty banter, “book was better than the movie” books.

Find my full review here.

Non-Fiction/Memoirs

NON-FICTION/MEMOIRS

Dinner for Vampires - Bethany Joy Lenz

Basic Premise: Bethany Joy Lenz’s acting career skyrocketed with One Tree Hill, but behind the scenes, she was trapped in a manipulative cult that controlled her life and finances. Only after becoming a mother did she find the courage to escape, reclaim her autonomy, and begin healing from the years of trauma.

Read if you’re interested in: cult culture, Mormons, One Tree Hill, celebrities who went through an absolutely BONKERS experience no one knew about (peep: Paris Hilton).

Find my full review here.

Everything I Know About Love - Dolly Alderton

Basic Premise: Dolly Alderton shares her hilarious and heartfelt journey through love, heartbreak, friendship, and self-discovery in early adulthood. Packed with personal stories, sharp observations, and unforgettable moments, it’s a celebration of friendship and learning that you are enough.

Read if you like: incredibly relatable memoirs as a millennial woman, “dating for the content” energy, dating disasters you can (mostly) laugh about later, memoirs that feel like late-night tea-spilling sessions with friends, chuckling through the mess and the lump in your throat. 

Find my full review here.

Poverty by America - Matthew Desmond

Basic Premise: Matthew Desmond reveals how the wealthy and powerful perpetuate poverty in the U.S., from low wages to overpriced housing, creating stark divides between rich and poor. Drawing on research and reporting, he challenges readers to rethink the system and take action toward ending poverty and building a more just society.

Read if you like: learning just how corrupt the American government is, getting out of your comfort zone of knowledge, books that blend heavily-researched topics with compelling storytelling, educating yourself.

Find my full review here.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents - Isabel Wilkerson

Basic Premise: Isabel Wilkerson examines the hidden hierarchy that has shaped America, showing how an unspoken system of power determines who thrives and who suffers. Drawing on history, global comparisons, and personal stories, she reveals the deep impact of caste on individuals and society while exploring paths toward equality and shared humanity.

Read if you like: thought‑provoking explorations of race, inequality, and social hierarchies, making yourself uncomfy with the ugliness of our country’s history, discussions about society, justice, and human dignity, educating yourself ((looking at you specifically, white people). 👀

Find my full review here.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel Van Der Kolk

Basic Premise: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma reshapes the body and brain, affecting emotions, behavior, and relationships. Drawing on decades of research, he highlights innovative treatments that harness the brain’s natural healing abilities to help survivors reclaim their lives.

Read if you like: to also psychoanalyze everyone you meet, psychoanalyze yourself, highly researched content supported by emotionally-moving anecdotes, to talk with your friends about what you recently realized about yourself during therapy lol. 

Find my full review here.

Okie doke. Those are some of my recs based on my favorite books from the 143 I read last year. Hopefully something in there piqued your interest.

If you want to chat about any of these books, hit me up. Otherwise, I’ll be posting my reviews from the books I read this month sometime in the next few weeks!

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads or StoryGraph.

December 2025 Reads

POV: it’s currently December 28th. You’re sitting on your couch. No bra. Buffalo Bills game on the TV because they’re your second team and thinking about the Lions loss from last week is like pushing on a gnarly bruise. 

Next to you, there’s a book you still need to finish reading so that you can write your last review for the year. Next to that is a pile of various yarn balls with an array of knitting needles sticking out of them because you can’t seem to stop knitting headbands for no one in particular. 

Although you took the last week off for Christmas, you decided to still work the 29th and 30th just to make sure your brain isn’t “totally checked out” by the time you return fully to work on January 5th, and are now kind of regretting it.

This is me. It is I. Hello from the last week of 2025. 

Now let’s get into the few books I managed to get through in December lol. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. 

Damascus & The Wildfire by Rachel Esterline

DAMASCUS & THE WILDFIRE by Rachel Esterline (The Lone Star Mavericks MC, #2)

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Love blooms in the wreckage. When Kenna Walsh trades her polished D.C. life for the wide Texas skies, she isn’t looking for love—just a fresh start. Three years after losing her fiancé, her heart still feels hollow. But when she’s hired to plan the Lone Star Mavericks’ fiftieth anniversary party, she’s pulled into a world built on loyalty, violence, and a code she doesn’t yet understand. Merrick, the club’s quiet, battle-scarred sergeant-at-arms, carries his own ghosts and keeps the world at arm’s length. Hatchet, their reckless enforcer, meets the darkness with a grin and refuses to let Kenna disappear into the shadows. And for the first time in years, her heart isn’t just waking up—it’s at war with itself. When a violent street gang threatens everything the Mavericks stand for, Kenna is drawn deeper into a brotherhood where loyalty is everything and trust is hard won, forced to navigate not just the threats outside the clubhouse, but the fractures within it. And as danger closes in, she finds strength in places she never expected—and faces a choice that could change the course of her future forever.

My Thoughts: Yessss. We love a niche romance, and diving into one centered around a motorcycle club was such a fresh experience. To be totally transparent, I was a beta reader earlier this year for the first book in this series (The Reaper & the Lionness) – which I didn’t include on my blog since it hadn’t been published yet but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless. So you can imagine how excited I was to receive a free e-book copy of its successor from the author herself (thank you, Rachel!!). This book has everything you could want in a romance that’s rough around the edges: well-developed, complex characters; a solid plotline beyond the romance itself; multiple POVs; and plenty of action to keep you on your toes. Kenna is new to town and learning the ropes of what it means to be part of the Lone Star Mavericks motorcycle club. She’s searching for a change of scenery after being stuck in a cycle of grief since losing her fiancé three years ago. I loved how dynamic her personality was. She’s incredibly easy to be around, but definitely fiery if you get on her bad side. Add in the contrasting best friends, Merrick and Hatchet, and you’ve got the perfect love triangle for Kenna to get tangled up in. Of course, both men are equally likable, which makes it very hard to decide which team you’re on lol. If you enjoy a niche romance with a darker taste to it, I highly recommend picking this one up.

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

CASTE: THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENTS by Isabel Wilkerson

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In this brilliant book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a masterful portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings. Beyond race, class, or other factors, there is a powerful caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and the nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their out-cast of the Jews; she discusses why the cruel logic of caste requires that there be a bottom rung for those in the middle to measure themselves against; she writes about the surprising health costs of caste, in depression and life expectancy, and the effects of this hierarchy on our culture and politics. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity.

My Thoughts: I’ve been recommended this by a few people over the years and I’m so glad I finally dug into it. This book dives deep into the hidden caste system the present-day United States operates by unknowingly and explores the tragic, traumatic events and milestones throughout the country’s history that got us here. When I tell you I wanted to throw up multiple times from the gut-punching stories from history that I had never been exposed to before. It honestly makes me so sick about some of the powerful figures our country decided to put on pedestals who remain there today. The author takes you by the chin and forces you to look at the absolutely ugly and horrid centuries of racism, facism, and misogyny that still plague our country today and keeps minority groups in their designated caste. Honestly, this book is so important and if you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend you prioritize it for one of your non-fiction reads of 2026.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

BROKEN COUNTRY by Clare Leslie Hall

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

My Thoughts: This book felt like a gently paced, poignant car crash that you can’t help but rubberneck the entire time because you need to see how it all ends. Switching between past and present, the story follows Beth, who fell in love with a wealthy neighbor as a teenager, only to ultimately end up with the town’s boy-next-door farmer. The book opens in a courtroom, and while it’s unclear who’s being prosecuted, it’s immediately obvious that it all ties back to this decades-long love triangle. As the story unfolds, you’re given glimpses of the all-consuming first love Beth and Gabriel shared when they were young, and how those feelings begin to resurface now that he’s back in town. At the same time, you learn about the first decade of Beth’s marriage to Frank, and the absolutely tragic incident that has caused a rift between them ever since. I listened to the audiobook, and I honestly don’t know if I would’ve been as invested if I’d been eyeball-reading it. It’s a heavier story that takes you on a full emotional rollercoaster, and even by the end, I was still torn over who I was rooting for in the love triangle. That said, the writing is beautiful and effortlessly transported me to the English countryside, where these characters slowly tease apart the complicated threads of their relationships. If you’re looking for a book with an easy, meandering pace and a storyline that will make you feel a lot of feels, this one is perfect.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

QUICKSILVER by Callie Hart (Fae & Alchemy, #1) (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn't much a girl wouldn't do for a glass of water. Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen's reservoirs for as long as she can remember. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently re-opens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares... but it turns out they're real, and Saeris has landed herself in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed. The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist's magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him…or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he's the only way Saeris is going to make it home.

My Thoughts: Round two, and this book is still five-stars for me on vibes alone. You can read my full initial review here from my first read in February, but even on a reread—while the writing isn’t perfect—the experience is absolutely fantastic.  I still loved Saeris’ core need to be independent and resilient even after finding herself as the only human surrounded by Fae in a completely different realm. Not to mention, the Fae are currently at war with the neighboring colony of vampires, and the only warrior strong enough to keep the bloodsuckers at bay is the beautiful and mysterious Kingfisher. The swoop in my stomach did not fail to dip all the way to my toes as this ruthless male started falling for this tiny human with an affinity to bend metals at her will. The plot was perfect, the pacing was chef’s kiss, and I’m still unapologetically obsessed with Carrion Swift lol. I’m glad I reread this before diving into Brimstone though because I definitely forgot a few major plot points that occur towards the end. Anyways. My dear fantasy-loving friends, with respect, if you haven’t picked this one up yet, what tf are you doing??

Brimstone by Callie Hart

BRIMSTONE by Callie Hart (Fae & Alchemy #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Duty. Blood. Honour. Power. Saeris Fane doesn't want power. The very last thing she needs is her name whispered on an entire court's lips, but now that she's been crowned queen of the Blood Court, she's discovering that a queen's life is not her own. A heavy weight rests upon her shoulders. Her ward - and her brother - need her back in her homeland . . . but the changes that have strengthened Saeris have also made her weak. Born under blazing suns, Saeris will surely die if she makes her way home through the Quicksilver. Which means that, once again, she must send someone else in her stead . . . Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate has defeated armies and survived all manner of horrors, but traveling back to Zilvaren with Carrion Swift might just be the death of him. The male just will not shut up. Hidden dangers await them down the narrow alleyways of the Silver City. Unfolding secrets pose impossible threats. Fisher must wrangle the smuggler and accomplish his goals quickly if he wants to see his mate again.

My Thoughts: YAAAAS CALLIE HART!! She put her whole fuckin foot into this one. For starters, we got dual POV from both Saeris and Kingfisher, which was an absolute game changer. Getting access to their internal dialogues and seeing what was happening around the realm when they weren’t together made all the difference. This book picks up right where the last one left off, but with more context. Without giving anything away, there’s an event that causes Saeris to wake up as the new Queen of the Vampires – a title she never asked for and very much does not want. That said, she and Kingfisher quickly realize it’s also a unique opportunity to create real, positive change for the realm and finally put an end to a war that’s been raging for centuries. As Saeris navigates her new reality and the nuances of the vampire Blood Court, she’s also on a time crunch to figure out just how far her abilities as an alchemist can stretch. Listen, I could not have asked for a better character arc for Saeris. She grew up human and in poverty, and now she’s overseeing an entirely different species as their ruler?? Y’all. There were several moments where I was incredibly nervy about how she’d respond to biting comments or outright physical attacks, and every time I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly she put people in check – both with her words and her powers. On the flip side of that coin, after only getting Kingfisher’s diamond-hard edges in the first book, we finally got to experience his softer side here. The chapter with Onyx and the acorn will live rent-free in my brain for eons (IYKYK). The plot was perfect, the development of the side characters was spot on, and the vibes remained immaculate. I am absolutely DISTRAUGHT that the next book in this series doesn’t come out until November 2026, but I’m also thoroughly looking forward to rereading this book next fall lol. 

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE by Deanna Raybourn

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills. When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they've been marked for death. Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman--and a killer--of a certain age.

My Thoughts: My book club picked this as our next cozy mystery, and while I enjoyed the overall experience, I’ll admit I was hoping for a little more. To be fair, I think this was a case of the book falling victim to the hype I’d heard beforehand. Given the premise of older women who also happen to be trained assassins, I was told it was so much fun and packed with humor. While I did find it enjoyable, I kept waiting for the moment that would make me audibly laugh, and unfortunately, it never quite got there for me. That said, I really liked the overall plot and the characters. After spending 40 years as assassins for a secret organization called the Museum, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie are ready to kick back on a retirement cruise. Naturally, things go sideways when Billie recognizes an active Museum agent on board and they discover there’s a hit out on all four of them. They’re suddenly forced to rely on everything they learned during their years with the Museum to stay alive and figure out who wants them dead. The story was action-packed, and I loved that each woman brought her own strengths to the team. I also enjoyed watching their friendships evolve and seeing how their feelings toward one another have shifted over the years as they’ve grown older and taken different paths in their personal lives. Even if it didn’t fully live up to the hype, I still had a good time with this audiobook and would recommend it if you’re looking for a mystery with a unique twist.

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison

GOOD SPIRITS by B.K. Borison (Ghosted #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future. Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected. With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

My Thoughts: This book felt like slipping into your coziest pajamas and settling in with a mug of hot cocoa on the first night after you put up your Christmas decorations, when the spirit of the season is just starting to take off. It was equal parts romantic, playful, magical, charming, and absolutely packed with whimsy, and I loved every page of it. Harriet is the embodiment of Christmas cheer: the kind of person who owns a different holiday sweater for every day of December and has zero qualms about blasting Christmas music starting November 1st. On the other hand, Nolan—a.k.a. the Ghost of Christmas Past—is the definition of bah humbug and just wants to get his current assignment over with. It’s only when they begin spending more time together and revisiting glimpses of the past that they realize there’s something deeper connecting them. I was obsessed with the banter between these two and loved the dynamics of their “business” relationship, but this book landed plenty of warm-and-fuzzy blows straight to my heart as they slowly fell for each other. I genuinely wasn’t sure how the author was going to end this one, but let me just say, it did not disappoint. If you’re looking for a high-quality, not overly cheesy Christmas romance, I highly recommend adding this one to your list.

That’s it for December (and 2025)!

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and has a great start to 2026!

2025 Book Count: 143

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book of the year?

November 2025 Reads

Who else was still working through their Thanksgiving leftovers when you realized November is basically over?

For sure I thought we had at least another week before December…?

This month ended up being unexpectedly busy, and I think because I spent more time watching Dancing With The Stars than reading after work, I just didn’t get through as many books as usual. Not to mention, I only eyeball-read ONE out of the eight I did manage to finish. 

Praise be to the audiobook. What would I do without you?

Well, without further ado, let’s get into everything I read in November!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop

THE THIRD GILMORE GIRL by Kelly Bishop

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After more than a half century in show business, Kelly Bishop has stories to tell. From her Tony Award-winning performance in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line, to playing Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing, to her iconic role as matriarch Emily Gilmore in the groundbreaking television classic Gilmore Girls, few actors have enjoyed such long-running success—and even fewer can claim the adoration that this legendary actress has cultivated over her many working years. Kelly's instantly recognizable voice has echoed through theaters and living rooms for decades. For the first time, Kelly opens the door into her own life. She retraces her steps from Broadway to Hollywood and everywhere in between, reflecting on her decades-long career and sharing some of her greatest memories and the lessons she learned along the way. From her early days as a dancer at Radio City Music Hall in the '60s, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to her time as a burned-out Las Vegas showgirl, nothing is off-limits. She takes readers behind the scenes, from how she helped create a role in A Chorus Line, what it was like having Ed Herrmann as her TV husband and Lauren Graham as her TV daughter, and working with some of the biggest names in showbiz. The result is an enchanting celebration of a fearless and versatile performer whose talent and spirit have earned her an enduring place in the hearts and homes of millions.

My Thoughts: Like most millennial women in their 30s, Gilmore Girls was a staple in my regular TV rotation growing up, and I still manage to rewatch seasons 3–7 every other year. (Seasons 1 and 2 just don’t do it for me, but that’s a debate for another time lol.) What I didn’t fully appreciate until recently was how much Kelly Bishop shaped that show, and how pivotal Emily Gilmore was to the whole viewing experience. I also had no clue about her acting career before Gilmore Girls, so I was excited to see what the Matriarch Gilmore was up to long before Stars Hollow. To say I’m embarrassed I didn’t know Kelly Bishop’s history is an understatement. The Tony Award–winning actress originated a role in A Chorus Line—a musical partially inspired by pieces of her own life—and, um…HELLO? She was also the mom in Dirty Dancing. And those are just the highlights. Her memoir blew me away. Kelly’s career is a testament to resilience, instinct, and doing life on her own terms. In a time when women were expected to get married and settle down, she knew she didn’t want children and refused to let anyone guilt her into it. Time and time again, when she felt she was ready to move into the next chapter of her career or personal life, she trusted her gut and followed her intuition. Every time, she landed exactly where she needed to be. If you decide to pick this up, I highly recommend the audiobook. Kelly Bishop narrates it herself, and listening to her tell her own story was an absolute delight.

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

THE SERPENT AND THE WINGS OF NIGHT by Carissa Broadbent (Crowns of Nyaxia #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart. The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him. But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War for the House of Night brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love.

My Thoughts: This book has been on my radar for a while, and since I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk lately, I wanted an audiobook fantasy that would pull me in and take some time to get through. Oraya has only ever known the world of vampires. Growing up human among them means she’s had to learn how to defend herself just to stay alive. When the goddess of death announces a rare tournament—the Kejari—Oraya enters, seeing it as her only chance to become something more than prey. But to survive, she’s forced to form an alliance with her biggest rival, Raihn. He’s 6’5”, blue eyes, in finance… lol jk. He is dangerous, gorgeous and mysterious though, and all of her instincts are yelling not to trust him. Yet if either of them wants to make it to the end of the Kejari alive, they’re going to have to figure out how to work together. Okay, so first things first: I agree with the reviews that say the first half is slow. Not in a nothing-happens way, but more in a “we’re building the foundation” kind of way. Once Oraya’s character arc starts its ascent, though? The pacing and plot momentum kick into high gear. The politics between the different vampire clans can feel a little murky, but the focus is primarily on two factions, and that’s really all you need to track for this book. I also loved that the author had me constantly second-guessing where Oraya’s loyalties and trust should lie. There’s a small twist at the end that made me say, “ohhhh shit. Regerts.” All that to say, I’m very excited to see where the rest of this series goes.

Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent

SIX SCORCHED ROSES by Carissa Broadbent (Crowns of Nyaxia #1.5)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Six roses. Six vials of blood. Six visits to a vampire who could be her salvation… or her damnation. Lilith has been dying since the day she was born. But while she long ago came to terms with her own imminent death, the deaths of everyone she loves is an entirely different matter. As her town slowly withers in the clutches of a mysterious god-cursed illness, she takes matters into her own hands. Desperate to find a cure, Lilith strikes a bargain with the only thing the gods hate even more than her village: a vampire, Vale. She offers him six roses in exchange for six vials of vampire blood–the one hope for her town’s salvation. But when what begins as a simple transaction gradually becomes something more, Lilith is faced with a terrifying realization: It’s dangerous to wander into the clutches of a vampire… and in a place already suffering a god’s wrath, more dangerous still to fall in love with one.

My Thoughts: I mentioned to a friend that I had started this series, and she instantly told me the novella between books one and two was worth it. Apparently it introduces characters who become important later, so I decided to give it a whirl and I’m so glad I did. This story was surprisingly rich for how short it is. Even with the novella format, the main characters felt fully fleshed out. Lilith has known she’s dying for most of her life. Her town is suffering from an illness sent straight from the gods, and the worst part is watching her sister slowly wither away. As a scientist, she believes she might be able to cure this cursed sickness if she can get access to the blood of someone immortal. Enter Vale, a vampire who has lived on the outskirts of town for centuries. Lilith strikes a deal: she’ll bring him six rare roses in exchange for vials of his blood to test. What begins as a purely transactional relationship quickly turns into something deeper. I loved how emotionally invested Lilith and Vale became in each other, and how that connection grew out of mutual respect for the other’s intelligence, rather than just physical attraction. It’s a beautiful, emotional novella that makes it easy to care about characters we haven’t even met in the main series yet. I can’t wait to see how they show up in later books. If you’re planning to start this series soon, I highly recommend pausing between books one and two to read this novella first.

The Ashes and the Star Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

THE ASHES & THE STAR CURSED KING by Carissa Broadbent (Crowns of Nyaxia #2)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn. The House of Night, too, is surrounded by enemies. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside. When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets. But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power – and the devastating love that could be her downfall.

My Thoughts: After that plot twist at the end of book one, I was itching to dive back into this world of vampires and see what chaos book two had waiting. Oraya is reeling since she’s been betrayed by the one person she let herself be vulnerable with, despite every warning bell in her head. She’s also grieving the brutal loss of her father, someone she loved deeply even though their relationship will require some extensive therapy. The kingdom’s politics are hanging by a thread as the Rishan vampires scramble to establish their dominance over the House of Night. But even among the Rishan’s most trusted nobles, not everyone is convinced their new king deserves the crown, and Oraya’s new position at court may be her only shot at staying alive. Listen, I don’t know what it was about this book, but I was in an absolute DAZE listening to it. I was so sucked in that when I realized I was nearly at the end, I was so shocked it was almost over. There is a lot happening here, and the quick pace works perfectly for such a jam-packed plot. I will say, one major plot point kind of went over my head. I’m not sure if that’s on me for zoning out or if it wasn’t emphasized enough at first, but it ends up being a pretty key part of the climax lol. So keep an eye on everything happening in this tumultuous kingdom. The character arcs for both Oraya and Raihn were incredibly satisfying, especially Oraya’s. She starts in a grief-stricken fog that slowly sharpens into vengeance, and watching that evolution is so satisfying. And despite being on the outs, the romantic tension between her and Raihn stays undeniable as they try to repair the obliterated trust between them. I think the next book follows a side character’s quest, so I’m very curious to see where the rest of the series is headed. If this series has been sitting on your radar but you haven’t jumped in yet, I definitely recommend giving it a shot!

The Defender by Ana Huang

THE DEFENDER by Ana Huang (Gods of the Game #2)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: As the captain of Blackcastle Football Club and one of the highest-paid athletes in the game, Vincent DuBois should be on top of the world. But when his fame brings danger to his doorstep, he finds himself in his worst nightmare scenario—secretly sharing a flat with his coach’s daughter, knowing full well she’s far too big a temptation for him to resist. When his new living arrangements escalate into a bet that throws them even closer together, he realizes he’s in deeper trouble than he thought. He’s always played to win—but for her, he might just risk it all. | As a sports nutritionist and the daughter of a legendary coach, Brooklyn Armstrong is used to dealing with hotshot athletes. However, no player gets under her skin like Vincent, her best friend’s infuriatingly cocky (and gorgeous) brother. She left California hoping for a fresh start, and he’s the kind of distraction she doesn’t need. Now, he’s sleeping in the room next to hers while her career is up in the air and her defenses are crumbling. But no matter how many sparks fly between them, a relationship between the captain and the coach’s daughter could never work…could it?

My Thoughts: I read the first book, The Striker, in this new Ana Huang series last October and ended up feeling a little disappointed by the end of it (see review here). There was just a bit of a disconnect between me and the characters, but I am a total simp for AH’s writing, so I went into book two hoping it would redeem the series for me. I’m happy to report that The Defender was a much better experience! I loved how the premise leaned into so many of my favorite romance tropes: forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and a slow-burn vibe. When Vincent, star player of the Blackcastle soccer team, realizes he might have a stalker and no longer feels safe at home, he’s forced to move in with his sister’s best friend, Brooklyn. She also happens to be an intern for the Blackcastle health and nutrition team and the coach’s semi-estranged daughter. Which means this new living situation has to remain a total secret to avoid backlash. Listen, y’all know I love some top-tier banter, and these two were not holding back. I also adored watching their walls slowly come down as they grew more vulnerable and learned to trust each other. This wasn’t the most epic sports romance I’ve ever read, but the lack of a third-act breakup was so refreshing, and I genuinely swooned my way through the chapters. If you read The Striker and have been hesitant to pick up The Defender, rest assured, this one makes up for everything the first book lacked!

The Tenant by Freida McFadden

THE TENANT by Freida McFadden

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: Blake Porter is riding high, until he's not. Fired abruptly from his job as a VP of marketing and unable to make the mortgage payments on the new brownstone that he shares with his fiancee, he's desperate to make ends meet. Enter Whitney. Beautiful, charming, down-to-earth, and looking for a room to rent. She's exactly what Blake's looking for. Or is she? Because something isn't quite right. The neighbors start treating Blake differently. The smell of decay permeates his home, no matter how hard he scrubs. Strange noises jar him awake in the middle of the night. And soon Blake fears someone knows his darkest secrets… Danger lives right at home, and by the time Blake realizes it, it'll be far too late. The trap is already set.

My Thoughts: This was my fourth experience with Freida McFadden’s writing, my third book of this year, and I love how quickly her stories fly. Coasting at a peak in his life, Blake Porter has it all. He just got promoted to a very high-paying position and is killing it at work. Plus, he just bought a new brownstone on the upper west side which he shares with his perfect fiancee, Krista. However, he quickly finds himself scrambling for ways to make ends meet when he’s abruptly fired and life comes crashing down. When their new tenant, Whitney, moves into the room upstairs to help pay the mortgage, weird things start happening for Blake and this boy starts crashing out. I enjoyed that most of this story was told from Blake’s POV and thoroughly appreciated that although he’s NOT a likeable character, that didn’t deter me from being completely sucked in. It was kind of fun trying to guess who was gaslighting this man so hard. That said, now that I’ve kind of caught on to FM’s formula, it also wasn’t that incredibly difficult to guess who was the real nefarious character. There’s another very small plot twist at the end that was fun, but nothing as pearl clutching as I’d hoped it’d be lol. If you’re looking for something quick with a bit of mystery and unlikable characters, this book would definitely fit that bill. 

The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

THE SEED KEEPER by Diane Wilson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Rosalie Iron Wing has grown up in the woods with her father, Ray, a former science teacher who tells her stories of plants, of the stars, of the origins of the Dakota people. Until, one morning, Ray doesn't return from checking his traps. Told she has no family, Rosalie is sent to live with a foster family in nearby Mankato--where the reserved, bookish teenager meets rebellious Gaby Makespeace, in a friendship that transcends the damaged legacies they've inherited. On a winter's day many years later, Rosalie returns to her childhood home. A widow and mother, she has spent the previous two decades on her white husband's farm, finding solace in her garden even as the farm is threatened first by drought and then by a predatory chemical company. Now, grieving, Rosalie begins to confront the past, on a search for family, identity, and a community where she can finally belong. In the process, she learns what it means to be descended from women with souls of iron--women who have protected their families, their traditions, and a precious cache of seeds through generations of hardship and loss, through war and the insidious trauma of boarding schools.

My Thoughts: This book has been on my radar ever since it was passed over as an option for my book club last year, and I’m honestly bummed I didn’t pick it up sooner. Told from the perspectives of four Native American Dakota women across multiple generations, it captures trauma in nearly every form: war, addiction, stolen land, the brutality of boarding schools, and even major chemical companies poisoning their resources. The author weaves in the idea of seeds both literally and metaphorically to show these women’s resilience and the ways they continually find their way back to their roots and ancestors. The story primarily follows Rosalie Iron Wing, who’s been handed more than her share of cruel circumstances: losing her father young, landing in a foster home with a woman who only wants to exploit her, and more. Her one bright spot during that time is meeting Gaby Makespeace, an absolute firecracker and the perfect opposite to quiet, bookish Rosalie. Two decades later, a grieving Rosalie is finally ready to confront her past, seek out the family she never got to know, and figure out who she is beyond the farm she’s lived on since she was eighteen. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I was blown away by the raw strength and vulnerable storytelling in these pages. I highly recommend adding this one to your TBR.

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? by Sophie Kinsella

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Eve is a successful novelist who wakes up one day in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there. Her husband, never far from her side, explains that she has had an operation to remove the large, malignant tumor growing in her brain. As Eve learns to walk, talk, and write again—and as she wrestles with her diagnosis, and how and when to explain it to her beloved children—she begins to recall what’s most important to her: long walks with her husband’s hand clasped firmly around her own, family game nights, and always buying that dress when she sees it.

My Thoughts: Y’all, if you’re looking for a quick, poignant punch to the heart that also happens to be based on a true story, this novella will do just that lol. Eve is a successful author who seems to have it all: a healthy family, an award-winning career, and a streak of good luck that never seems to run out. That is, until she wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of why she’s there or what’s happening. As she moves through treatment and rehab, she drifts in and out of lucidity, confused by her new reality and relying heavily on her husband to ground her. The story is beautiful and heartbreaking, yet somehow still ends on a hopeful note as Eve realizes that while her memory may never be perfect, she still remembers what truly matters most. The audiobook was only two hours, and I’m sure the physical copy would fly by just as fast. If you’re looking for something short and emotional, this one fits the bill for sure.

That’s it for November!

I’m hoping since DWTS is over and we’ve officially entered cozy season, I’ll spend more time with a book in my hand instead of my phone this month lol. Just wait until I figure out how to start the pilot light on my fireplace! Then it’s over for you bitches! ;D (respectfully)

2025 Book Count: 136

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What has been your favorite book of the year so far?

October 2025 Reads

I won’t even lie to all of you. I didn’t write a single book review during the month of October. Imagine my surprise when Halloween hit and I realized I hadn’t been doing myself any favors by mindlessly floating book to book without recording any thoughts about them. 

That’s kind of how October went for me this year though. It was the first month since July that I didn’t have something planned every single weekend, and I felt like it was finally my time to just sit and do nothing.

Basically, if I wasn’t out for the few plans I actually had, you could find me sprawled on the couch with the latest episode of Dancing With the Stars blasting on my TV lol. This is the first season I’ve watched since Bindi Irwin was on the show and my gosh, it’s a good one. Still rooting for Andy to make it through one more week. IYKYK.

That’s about it for my update though! Now let’s get into everything I read in October.

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. 

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

WHAT MOVES THE DEAD by T. Kingfisher (Sworn Soldier #1)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: When Alex Easton, a retired soldier, receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they race to the ancestral home of the Ushers in the remote countryside of Ruravia. What they find there is a nightmare of fungal growths and possessed wildlife, surrounding a dark, pulsing lake. Madeline sleepwalks and speaks in strange voices at night, and her brother Roderick is consumed with a mysterious malady of the nerves. Aided by a redoubtable British mycologist and a baffled American doctor, Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.

My Thoughts: I’ve only read two books by T. Kingfisher, but I can confidently say this: they really know how to write something eerie yet endearing, creepy yet cozy. I honestly had no idea this was an Edgar Allan Poe retelling until after I finished it, and to be honest, I didn’t connect with the story as much as I hoped I would. I wish I had known going in so I could’ve read a summary of The Fall of the House of Usher beforehand. The book follows Alex Easton, a retired soldier visiting their childhood friend Madeline Usher, who is dying. After a few nights in the ancestral Usher home, Alex begins noticing strange patterns in Madeline’s behavior, and in the hares surrounding the estate. The story turns into a twisty ride as Alex uncovers something unexpected creeping through the town of Ruravia. As I mentioned, not realizing this was a retelling definitely contributed to my disconnect. There were moments where the pacing dragged and I couldn’t fully sink into the story. That said, it’s a super quick read, so pushing through wasn’t difficult, and I’m always a sucker for a gothic vibe. If you’re looking for something short, a little strange, and somehow still cozy, this might be the perfect pick.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux

SIGN HERE by Claudia Lux

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Peyote Trip has a pretty good gig in the deals department on the fifth floor of Hell. Sure, none of the pens work, the coffee machine has been out of order for a century, and the only drink on offer is Jägermeister, but Pey has a plan—and all he needs is one last member of the Harrison family to sell their soul. When the Harrisons retreat to the family lake house for the summer, with their daughter Mickey’s precocious new friend, Ruth, in tow, the opportunity Pey has waited a millennium for might finally be in his grasp. And with the help of his charismatic coworker Calamity, he sets a plan in motion. But things aren’t always as they seem, on Earth or in Hell. And as old secrets and new dangers scrape away at the Harrisons’ shiny surface, revealing the darkness beneath, everyone must face the consequences of their choices.

My Thoughts: This was a totally random Book of the Month pick from 2022 that has been collecting dust on my shelf for years. After months of waiting for the audiobook to finally come through on Libby, I was finally able to dive in. I cannot believe I let this book sit unread for three years. It was so freaking enjoyable! The dark humor is razor-sharp and delivered so casually that it catches you off guard. Multiple times a character would say something wildly morbid yet hilarious, and it would take me a second to register what they actually said. The story follows two sets of characters. Peyote and Calamity work in the Deals Department of Hell, taking advantage of desperate living people willing to literally sell their souls for a specific outcome. If they collect enough souls — specifically from their own living family — they get a second chance at life, which is Peyote’s main goal. Meanwhile, the Harrisons are a seemingly perfect family with a very dark past. When they head to their lakehouse for the summer and bring along their daughter Mickey’s new friend, Ruth, cracks start to show in their pristine facade, and things quickly unravel. I loved how the author seamlessly intertwined the two storylines after keeping them separate for most of the book. I wouldn’t call this a classic mystery thriller, because the clever humor is such a huge and delightful part of it. But if you’re someone who enjoys tossing out the occasional dark joke, this book is absolutely for you.

Alchemised by SenYinLu

ALCHEMISED by SenYinLu

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: “What is it you think you’re protecting in that brain of yours? The war is over. Holdfast is dead. The Eternal Flame extinguished. There’s no one left for you to save.” Once a promising alchemist, Helena Marino is now a prisoner—of war and of her own mind. Her Resistance friends and allies have been brutally murdered, her abilities suppressed, and the world she knew destroyed. In the aftermath of a long war, Paladia’s new ruling class of corrupt guild families and depraved necromancers, whose vile undead creatures helped bring about their victory, holds Helena captive. According to Resistance records, she was a healer of little importance within their ranks. But Helena has inexplicable memory loss of the months leading up to her capture, making her enemies wonder: Is she truly as insignificant as she appears, or are her lost memories hiding some vital piece of the Resistance’s final gambit? To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world. Trapped on his crumbling estate, Helena’s fight—to protect her lost history and to preserve the last remaining shreds of her former self—is just beginning. For her prison and captor have secrets of their own . . . secrets Helena must unearth, whatever the cost.

My Thoughts: Okay. So y’all may remember from my review last December of a Dramoine fanfiction called Manacled. I was absolutely OBSESSED. So what does that have to do with Alchemised? WELL FRIENDS. The author of Manacled was offered an official book deal to rewrite that story outside of the Harry Potter world, and Alchemised is the result. Let me start by saying: there is zero doubt that SenYinLu is a phenomenal writer. The character depth, the emotional warfare they go through, the trauma they endure just to cling to the smallest kernel of hope and love… it’s incredible. The plot is thoughtfully constructed, the setting is incredibly atmospheric, and the pacing/timeline carried through beautifully. The only reason I didn’t give this a full five stars is because I’ve always found fantasy books with alchemy-based magic systems a little hard to follow, and this one was no exception. Alchemy is such a flexible magic type, which means it can be expanded and layered, but that also makes it a bit confusing at times. Also, because my brain kept trying to map characters from Alchemised to their counterparts in Manacled, I think I unintentionally made things harder on myself. All that said, this book is still beautifully written, and I absolutely recommend it. HOWEVER… I do think I preferred the Manacled version more.

Revolve by Bal Khabra

REVOLVE by Bal Khabra (Off the Ice, #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Sierra Romanova was an Olympian figure skater before a life-altering accident on the ice left her with panic attacks every time she enters the rink. Now, back for her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to reclaim the spotlight, with all eyes on her…including those of hockey player Dylan Donovan, whose audacious words goad her back into her skates to prove him wrong. After getting kicked off his hockey team for his reckless behavior, Dylan is left with slim chances of making it to the NHL draft. But Dylan’s whole world revolves around the ice, and if hockey is forbidden, well at least there’s figure skating. Even better, it means more time at the rink with Sierra. Sure, he’s helping her rebuild her confidence, but pushing her buttons along the way? That’s just a bonus. As the figure skating world awaits Sierra's comeback, she finds herself in need for a new pairs partner. The only person she knows who can match her skill on the ice is none other than the cocky hockey player who refuses to cut her any slack. Dylan's a wildcard, Sierra's a seasoned pro, but together, they might just be the perfect match on the ice.

My Thoughts: We love a good, smutty hockey romance, do we not? I discovered Bal Khabra a few years ago and loved the first two books in this series, so obviously I had to pre-order this one the minute it was announced. Sierra Romanova is clawing her way back to the top of her skating career after a life-altering accident left her hospitalized for an extended period. Now healed and entering her final year at Dalton University, she’s ready to get back on the ice. The problem? Just stepping into the rink triggers a full-blown panic attack. Plus, she no longer has a skating partner, having been blacklisted from the figure skating world after her injury. Dylan Donovan, captain of the Dalton University hockey team, has been on a downward spiral of his own. Known as a party boy and an aggressor, he finally pushes things too far and fails a drug test, gets kicked off the team, and is banned from the ice. When he’s offered the chance to keep skating by becoming Sierra’s new partner, he can’t refuse… even if she desperately wishes he would. Y’ALL. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Sierra and Dylan is EPIC. So thick you could cut it with a knife. But I also loved the softer moments between them, even before the feelings started creeping in. Like when Dylan helps Sierra through a panic attack. 🥹 They’re both flawed, both fighting against the boxes everyone keeps shoving them into, and I couldn’t help but swoon over their chemistry on and off the ice. If you’re looking for a fantastic hockey romance, I highly recommend diving into this series. Technically you can read this one as a standalone, but personally, I’d start from book one.

Tom Lake by Ann Pachett

TOM LAKE by Ann Pachett

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: In the spring of 2020, Lara's three daughters return to the family farm in northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they ask their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she had a love affair years before and with whom she shared the stage in a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara reminisces, her daughters examine their life and their relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

My Thoughts: This was cute! And as someone from Michigan, it was especially fun to read. I could perfectly picture the stretch of orchards shimmering in the summer heat. Lara’s three daughters have always wanted the full story behind her past romance with famous actor Peter Duke. With nothing to do but pick cherries for hours, it becomes the perfect moment for Lara to finally spill the tea. I loved how atmospheric the writing was. The story moves between the present day on the northern Michigan farm and the past, when Lara was performing with a theater company called Tom Lake. I felt completely transported — like I was backstage watching her acting career and love affairs unfold. And when the narrative flipped back to the present, it truly felt like I had pulled up a seat at their dinner table, listening as her daughters slowly realize that the stories they’d built up in their heads weren’t quite accurate. If you’re looking for a cozy read that will sweep you into the heart of a northern Michigan summer, this is the perfect book to pick up. And definitely go for the audiobook as Meryl Streep narrates, and she elevates it so much. 

Mate by Ali Hazelwood

MATE by Ali Hazelwood (Bride #2)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Serena Paris is orphaned, pack-less, and one of a kind. Coming forward as the first Human-Were hybrid was supposed to heal a centuries-long rift between species. Instead, it made her a target, prey to the ruthless political machinations between Weres, Vampyres, and Humans. With her enemies closing in on her, she has only one option left—if he’ll have her. As Alpha of the Northwest pack, Koen Alexander commands obedience. His authority is so absolute, only a fool would threaten his mate. It doesn’t matter if Serena doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, nothing will stop him from keeping her safe. But power-hungry Vampyres and Weres are not the only threats chasing Serena. Sooner or later, her past is bound to catch up with her—and Koen might be the only thing standing between her and total annihilation…

My Thoughts: If you read my reviews from last month, you know I reread Bride by Ali Hazelwood to prep for Mate’s October release. This book follows Misery’s best friend, Serena, in the aftermath of everything that went down at the end of the first book. Without giving too much away, Serena needs somewhere secluded to lay low. Somewhere the public won’t have easy access to her. Plenty of people want her dead because of what she represents to the high-tension political landscape between humans, Vampyres, and certain werewolves. When it’s decided she’ll stay with the Northwest werewolf pack, Serena suddenly has to figure out what her new life looks like and how to keep a secret about her health from everyone. The only thorn in her side is the pack’s Alpha, Koen Alexander. He’s the ultimate authority there, and to his absolute annoyance, the only person who refuses to obey his every command is Serena. Y’all, the tension between these two is THICC the entire book. Also, praise be: Ali Hazelwood did not disappoint with Serena’s character. She is so freaking funny. She’s quick-witted, chaotic in the best way, and painfully relatable. Yes, some of the plot twists are pretty obvious, but that did not stop me from enjoying every single page. If you’re craving something packed with humor, great characters, a bucketload of spice, and a solid plot to boot, I highly recommend picking this up.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

THE INCANDESCENT by Emily Tesh

Rating: 2.75/5 stars

Summary: Doctor Walden is the Director of Magic at Chetwood Academy and one of the most powerful magicians in England. Her days consist of meetings, teaching A-Level Invocation to four talented, chaotic sixth formers, more meetings, and securing the school's boundaries from demonic incursions. Walden is good at her job―no, Walden is great at her job. But demons are masters of manipulation. It’s her responsibility to keep her school with its six hundred students and centuries-old legacy safe. And it’s possible the entity Walden most needs to keep her school safe from―is herself.

My Thoughts: I can’t lie, this book was a mild disappointment, but only because it had the potential to be a kickass dark academia fantasy and it just fell a little short. Dr. Saffy Walden is one of the most powerful magicians in England. Even though she was offered a job with the C.I.A., she resigned herself to teaching A-level classes at Chetwood Academy and defending the school’s boundaries from demonic incursions. When one of her students accidentally summons a high-level demon that has been latched onto the school for centuries, Saffy is forced to activate a series of intricate tattoos she designed herself, allowing her to channel the power of a different demon to defeat the larger one. Let me just say: the big event of this book happens basically right away. There's a tiny build-up that shows what an average day looks like for Saffy, but after that explosive opening, the story kind of… peters out. I found myself mildly confused about where the author was taking things. The direction makes sense once everything wraps up, but during the middle, I kept thinking, “Okay, but what are we doing here?” After reflecting on it for a few weeks, I do think that anyone who has dealt with the bureaucratic bullshit of higher education would find the storyline extremely relatable and clever. That sentiment just didn’t quite land for me.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL by Robert Dugoni

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends. Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls. Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.

My Thoughts: People have been recommending this book to me for a while, and I am so glad I finally gave in. This is one of those stories that will live rent-free in my brain for years. Sam Hill was born with ocular albinism, which causes his pupils to be red. While his mother insists he’s destined for an extraordinary life, Sam can’t help but question this genetic abnormality and why God chose him for it. The story alternates between the past—Sam attending Catholic school and being ruthlessly bullied not just by classmates, but also by nuns and adults who find his red eyes unsettling—and the present, where Sam is now an ophthalmologist facing a situation that drags up his past and forces him to decide what he wants his future to look like. This book isn’t just about the prejudice and adversity Sam faces as a kid with red eyes. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, self-acceptance, faith, and gratitude. The audiobook is narrated by the author, and while that can sometimes be hit or miss, Robert Dugoni absolutely nails it. Honestly, this is easily in my top five favorite reads of the year. I highly, highly recommend picking it up.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

SILVER ELITE by Dani Francis

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy. TRUST NO ONE. Wren Darlington has spent her whole life in hiding, honing her psychic abilities and aiding the rebel Uprising in small ways. On the Continent, being Modified means certain death—and Wren is one of the most powerful Mods in existence. When one careless mistake places her in the hands of the enemy and she’s forced to join their most elite training program, she’s finally handed the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. LIE TO EVERYONE. But training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you’re harboring dangerous secrets and living in close quarters with everyone who wants you dead. AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FALL FOR YOUR GREATEST ENEMY. As the stakes grow ever higher, Wren must prove herself to Silver Block. But that’s easier said than done when your commanding officer is the ruthless and infuriatingly irresistible Cross Redden, who doesn’t miss anything when it comes to her. And as war rages between Mods like her and those who aim to destroy them, Wren must decide just how far she’s willing to go to protect herself . . . and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

My Thoughts: This book has been touted on social media as the next “Fourth Wing” and although I can see why that claim has been made, I feel like that’s not entirely true. Mainly because this book offered so much more than that box puts it in. The plot kind of felt like a mix of Fourth Wing, a pinch of Shatter Me, a TOUCH of Dire Bound, and a dash of Divergent. The book follows Wren, a 20-year-old Mod who has spent her entire life learning how to hide and suppress her psychic gifts. When her uncle is arrested and executed, she’s forced to prove her loyalty to the Continent by training for Silver Block which is a grueling series of competitions to weed out the weakest of the program. Not only does she have to survive these trials, but she has to keep her aid to the Uprising a secret, along with her psychic gifts, or else risk execution. Listen, I really enjoyed my time with this book. Per usual for these types of romantasies, Wren was incredibly stubborn and the enemies-to-lovers storyline with Cross felt a little dRamAtiC at times. However, I appreciated the development arc for both of their characters and really bought into their connection and whole-hearted trust they were giving each other. The world building was solid, the politics were straightforward yet interesting, and I appreciate the author struck a great balance of suspenseful situations with softer, slower scenes. The book ends on quite the cliffhanger and although this wasn’t the best fantasy I’ve ever read, I’m definitely interested in reading the next installment in the series once that’s released. 

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

YEAR OF YES by Shonda Rhimes

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In this poignant, hilarious and deeply intimate call to arms, Hollywood's most powerful woman, the mega-talented creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal and executive producer of How to Get Away with Murder and Catch, reveals how saying YES changed her life -- and how it can change yours too. With three hit shows on television and three children at home, Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say no when invitations arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No. And to an introvert like Shonda, who describes herself as 'hugging the walls' at social events and experiencing panic attacks before press interviews, there was a particular benefit to saying no: nothing new to fear. Then came Thanksgiving 2013, when Shonda's sister Delorse muttered six little words at her: You never say yes to anything. Profound, impassioned and laugh-out-loud funny, in Year of Yes Shonda Rhimes reveals how saying YES changed -- and saved -- her life. And inspires readers everywhere to change their own lives with one little word: Yes.

My Thoughts: Let me start by saying something that may come as a shock to some of you: I have never watched Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, nor How to Get Away with Murder… I know. I know. It’s a television cultural faux pas that I will not be apologizing for any time soon lol. I have, however, seen every single Bridgerton saga that Shondaland has written and produced, and I am unapologetically obsessed with that whole series. That being said, this book was written and published before she started dabbling in her regency era masterpiece. So many references she makes in this book involving the former three shows went completely over my head. I can appreciate the lessons her year of yes brought to light: saying yes to get out of your comfort zone, challenging yourself to do things you never thought you’d do, and making some things (like public speaking) a little less scary by leaning into them. As well as the importance of the word “no” and how/when to wield it to protect your peace. I didn’t know much about Shonda before listening to this memoir and it was incredibly interesting to learn how she became such a success. I have to say though, a lot of this felt almost like a stream of conscience or like she was just pouring out words until she could find a connection between them. It left me meandering a bit during some anecdotes and made me notice how much she repeated herself. Some of the repetition is definitely intentional, but it also started to hit a point where I didn’t think it was necessary. The audiobook is a must-read as Shonda not only reads it herself, but there’s also various recordings of speeches she’s given trickled throughout. Honestly, if she wrote a new memoir that’s more up-to-date, I’d be very interested to hear what she’d have to say in that one after the last decade of the Me Too Movement - which she helped drive, the writing that went into Bridgerton, etc.

Lore Olympus Volume One by Rachel Smythe

LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME ONE by Rachel Smythe

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Persephone, young goddess of spring, is new to Olympus. Her mother, Demeter, has raised her in the mortal realm, but after Persephone promises to train as a sacred virgin, she’s allowed to live in the fast-moving, glamorous world of the gods. When her roommate, Artemis, takes her to a party, her entire life changes: she ends up meeting Hades and feels an immediate spark with the charming yet misunderstood ruler of the Underworld. Now Persephone must navigate the confusing politics and relationships that rule Olympus, while also figuring out her own place—and her own power.

My Thoughts: I love a good graphic novel and it’s been a minute since I’ve read one. So when I saw this trilogy had a high rating, I decided to give it a whirl. I will say, although the artwork in this is stunning, I don’t think you would want to get into it without knowing the OG lore behind Hades and Persephone. From reading several retellings of their story in the past, I’m very familiar with how these two gods from very different realms became destined for each other, and this book did a great job of depicting the attraction between them. I also liked that there was a humorous tone to all of it. However, I don’t think it would’ve been SUPER easy to follow if I didn’t have that background knowledge. All’s to say though, I flipped through this graphic novel very quickly and enjoyed what it provided!

Lore Olympus Volume Two by Rachel Smythe

LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME TWO by Rachel Smythe

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Persephone was ready to start a new life when she left the mortal realm for Olympus. However, she quickly discovered the dark side of her glamorous new home — from the relatively minor gossip threatening her reputation to a realm-shattering violation of her safety by the conceited Apollo — and she's struggling to find her footing in the fast-moving realm of the gods. Hades is also off balance, fighting against his burgeoning feelings for the young goddess of spring while maintaining his lonely rule of the Underworld. As the pair are drawn ever closer, they must untangle the twisted webs of their past and present to build toward a new future.

My Thoughts: The art was once again fantastic in this graphic novel. However, the storyline was a little messier since the characters are all over the place. Persephone’s story does touch on a very serious topic in relation to consent and what that looks like. She’s also incredibly torn in her feelings about Hades, the direction of the life her mother has set out for her compared to the life she envisions for herself, and she’s still adjusting to living in Olympus instead of the mortal realm. Hades is absolutely GONE for Persephone, but everyone is telling him there’s no way they could end up together. So he’s stuck spinning his wheels in battling his feelings for her and rationalizing with himself all the reasons pursuing her is a bad idea. All of the side characters’ storylines are becoming a little more familiar too which made following along with this book much easier.  

Lore Olympus Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

LORE OLYMPUS: VOLUME THREE by Rachel Smythe

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: All of Olympus--and the Underworld--are talking about the God of the Dead and the sprightly daughter of Demeter. But despite the rumors of their romance, Hades and Persephone have plenty to navigate on their own. Since coming to Olympus, Persephone has struggled to be the perfect maiden goddess. Her attraction to Hades has only complicated the intense burden of the gods' expectations. And after Apollo's assault, Persephone fears she can no longer bury the intense feelings of hurt and love that she's worked so hard to hide. As Persephone contemplates her future, Hades struggles with his past, falling back into toxic habits in Minthe's easy embrace. With all the mounting pressure and expectations--of their family, friends, and enemies--both Hades and Persephone tell themselves to deny their deepest desires, but the pull between them is too tempting, too magnetic. It's fate.

My Thoughts: Consistent with the last two novels in this series, the artwork was gorgeous. What I loved about the storyline of this one is that there is a lot more obvious character development happening across the board. Persephone is finding more confidence and her voice. Hades is trying to turn a new leaf with a committed relationship (albeit with Minthe, but baby steps). Eros is giving into the fact that Psyche broke his heart and Aphrodite is surprisingly patient enough to hear Psyche’s side of the story. Though the ending of this graphic novel still leaves you on a cliff hanger, I’d say this was my favorite out of the three Lore Olympus books I read this month.

That’s it for October! We’re already two weeks into November as I finish writing this blog post lol, so I’m hoping to get ahead of it a little bit more before this month is over. 

At this point, there’s no rhyme, reason, or reading plan. Genre consistency? Don’t know her. But whatever I end up reading, I’ll be posting my thoughts.

2025 Book Count: 128

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one book you still want to read before the end of the year?

September 2025 Reads

Yaaasss, fall is finally here! Which means weekends dedicated to football, telling your friends and coworkers at least once a week “God, I really need to get out to X cider mill soon,” breaking out your favorite sweaters despite those lingering 80-degree days, pumpkin everything, and soaking up the changing leaves as a distraction from the grim reminder that winter is next… 🥲

Honestly, September was great. It’s the last full month of the year that I had something planned every single weekend. So although I enjoyed the festivities/activities I had in September, I can’t lie that I’m kind of glad it’s come and gone. 

My reading this month was a total mixed bag, but some of my favorite books of the year made their way into September, so keep an eye out for those five-star reviews. That said, don’t sleep on the 3.5–4 star reads either. There were some fantastic books in there, too.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan

A RESISTANCE OF WITCHES by Morgan Ryan

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Stubborn, plainspoken, and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Witches. Now, with Hitler’s army rampaging across Europe, the witches of Britain have joined the war effort, and Lydia is key to the cause: she must use her magic to track down magical relics before Hitler and his sycophants can. Then a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences, leaving the coven shaken, exposed, and divided. The elder British witches have no interest in further loss of coven life in service of a government that has forced them into hiding for generations. But with the discovery of the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book that leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever it goes, Lydia knows her mission has never been more urgent. Alone and woefully outnumbered, Lydia makes her way to the heart of occupied France, where she finds allies in Rebecca Gagne, a fierce French resistance fighter with a secret, and Henry Boudreaux, a handsome Haitian American art historian with a little magic of his own. Together, they traverse the country, stalked by the natural and supernatural alike, in search of the grimoire. But, as Lydia soon discovers, finding the book is only half the battle; the Grimorium Bellum itself has a dark agenda. Lydia must subdue it before the witches of the Third Reich can use it—but she’ll have to survive the book herself first.

My Thoughts: When I saw this book is a mashup of my two favorite genres, I was freaking psyched. British witches going undercover to help win the war against the Nazis? Yes please! Now, I do have to admit that although the premise was super promising, the execution left something to be desired. The first third of the book had me hooked. We’re introduced to Lydia, her coven, and her mission to find the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient, powerful book that Hitler and the Nazis are also after. While all of that was set up well, I feel like there could’ve been more information provided about why the Grimorium Bellum wasn’t already being protected. The story is told from multiple POVs: Lydia, Henry, and Rebecca. Henry is the art curator at the museum where this book is being kept, and Rebecca is involved in the French rebellion. Both of these characters had enough emotional depth for me to get invested in them, but I also felt like they could’ve been utilized better. Besides serving as a love interest for Lydia, Henry has his own brand of magic where he can see spirits and communicate with them. Rebecca’s main perk as a character is that she has a car lol. She’s a bit of a spitfire, but otherwise, I feel like she was a token representation as a gay Jewish woman who watched her family dragged away by Nazis when she was younger. The plot was fine, but pretty predictable. I don’t know. This is the author’s debut novel and I liked it enough that if she writes another book, I’d probably read it. Also Grace Gray did a fantastic job as the audiobook narrator. However, unless you’re specifically looking for a book about witches getting involved in WWII, I don’t think there’s any urgency to read this. 

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher

NETTLE & BONE by T. Kingfisher

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince—if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning. On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

My Thoughts: Wow, I loved this! Not only is the FMC (Marra) a 30-year-old, but the entire book felt like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket and settling in for a whimsical story. Marra is on a quest to complete three impossible tasks that will give her the tools to kill a prince. Along the way, she’s joined by a wonderfully misfit group of companions including a powerful gravewitch, an exiled knight, a deceptively sweet fairy godmother, a demonic chicken, and a bone dog (IYKYK). Together, this eclectic crew helps Marra in her mission to free her sister and family from the control of a cruel, sadistic prince. Somehow, this story manages to be both incredibly endearing and delightfully grotesque at times. It’s a fresh twist on fairytales, with stunning world-building, vivid settings, and themes of found family, women’s resilience, privilege, and power woven throughout. Honestly, if you’re looking for a book that feels like you’re walking alongside the characters on one of the quirkiest, most heartfelt quests, you can’t go wrong with this one. This may have been my first T. Kingfisher book, but it definitely won’t be my last.

The Lover Haters by Katherine Center

THE LOVE HATERS by Katherine Center

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West. The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can. Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise! But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two. Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

My Thoughts: This was cute. Not my favorite by Katherine Center by any means, but I enjoyed it overall. This book starts pretty strong with the set up of Katie Vaughn, what’s on the line for her right now, why she’s trying to escape her past, and how she’s received on her new assignment in Key West. I even really liked the slow burn building up between her and Hutch as they started spending more time together. However, as I got further into it, the plot just felt a little choppy and didn’t end up as smooth of a landing as I would’ve preferred. After spending a whole book working through the “will they/won’t they” tension pulling tautly between Katie and Hutch, I couldn’t even fully swoon because their love story felt unfinished and had a lot of holes in it. I don’t know. It had a good set up, but the overall execution wasn’t as strong as other Katherine Center books I’ve read. 

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

BEAUTIFUL BASTARD by Christina Lauren

Rating: 2.75/5 stars

Summary: Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard. Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office. As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

My Thoughts: Okay this book did exactly what it needed to do: provide a fast-paced, extremely steamy workplace romance. I just feel like you have to keep in mind that it was published in 2013, so the overall vibes and approach to this story feel a TOUCH outdated. However, I appreciated that the sexual relationship that develops between Chloe and Bennett is clearly completely consensual even though he’s her boss. There definitely could’ve been some more development to the emotional depth of the romantic relationship they finally give into though. Neither character was necessarily super likable but I also didn’t dislike either of them lol. Each had a little personal growth by the end of the book, but I think Bennett’s was much more obvious than Chloe’s. For example, it was unexpected that he ended up being very straightforward with communicating what he wanted their relationship to look like. Whereas she kept second guessing what she wanted to say to him in case he didn’t feel the same way. Honestly, I enjoyed the book overall and didn’t rate it less than three stars because of anything particularly wrong with it. I just feel like there are newer smutty romances available that feel a bit fresher or more modern and might be more enjoyable. However, this was a quick read if you’re looking for something fast and dirty lol. 

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE by Claire Keegan

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man, faces his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.

My Thoughts: For a book that’s just a bit over 100 pages, it sure had a lot to say. It has a transportive quality that plants you in a small Irish town at Christmastime, and while you’re floating through Bill Furlong’s story, the impact point of this book shows up abruptly and catches you by surprise. It’s honestly a feat that this author makes you feel so much in such a short amount of time. Her writing is more showing than telling and has a poignant feel to it that makes the experience honestly mesmerizing. If you’re looking for a short, somehow cozy read, I highly recommend trying this one. 

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

A FAMILY MATTER by Claire Lynch

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: 1982. Dawn is a young mother, still adjusting to life with her husband, when Hazel lights up her world like a torch in the dark. Theirs is the kind of connection that’s impossible to resist, and suddenly life is more complicated, and more joyful, than Dawn ever expected. But she has responsibilities and commitments. She has a daughter. 2022. Heron has just received news from his doctor that turns everything upside down. He’s an older man, stuck in the habits of a quiet existence. Telling Maggie, his only child—the person around whom his life has revolved—seems impossible. Heron can’t tell her about his diagnosis, just as he can’t reveal all the other secrets he’s been keeping from her for so many years.

My Thoughts: The fact that this is a debut novel honestly shocked me because it’s so well done. It’s only 240 pages, but somehow it makes you feel so much through its character-driven plot. The story flips between two timelines and multiple POVs, and once you get into the rhythm, it’s so easy to get swept up in it. In 1982, Dawn is settling into life as a wife and mother when she meets Hazel. They become fast friends, but when their connection deepens, Dawn is forced to question everything now that she’s tasted a version of happiness she never expected. Then in 2022, Heron has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and knows he needs to tell his daughter, Maggie, but doing so might unravel other secrets he’s kept buried for decades. The first couple of chapters were a little disorienting, but once I found my footing, I was completely hooked. The writing is beautiful, the characters are so well fleshed out, and the emotional depth really sneaks up on you. I especially appreciated how it shed light on the injustices queer women (especially mothers) faced during that time. By the time I finished, I would’ve happily read another 50–100 pages.

Severance by Ling Ma

SEVERANCE by Ling Ma

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Candace Chen, a millennial drone self-sequestered in a Manhattan office tower, is devoted to routine. So she barely notices when a plague of biblical proportions sweeps New York. Then Shen Fever spreads. Families flee. Companies halt operations. The subways squeak to a halt. Soon entirely alone, still unfevered, she photographs the eerie, abandoned city as the anonymous blogger NY Ghost. Candace won’t be able to make it on her own forever, though. Enter a group of survivors, led by the power-hungry IT tech Bob. They’re traveling to a place called the Facility, where, Bob promises, they will have everything they need to start society anew. But Candace is carrying a secret she knows Bob will exploit. Should she escape from her rescuers?

My Thoughts: Wow this book was clever! I cannot believe it was written and published PRIOR to the COVID-19 pandemic. I almost feel like I don’t know how to write an eloquent enough review to suffice for the brilliance the author portrayed through her writing lol. This story is a heavy dose of satire mixed with cynicism, quirkiness, and so much more. The plot was absolutely gripping with commentary on capitalism, the immigrant experience, our society’s mindless consumption of both media and material things, and dares to ask the question why any of it matters. This is definitely a book you want to read alongside someone because there are so many moments that make you reflect on your own behaviors and could lead to some great discussions. If you’re into post-apocalyptic books or just love some very sharp writing, this book is a MUST!

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno Garcia

THE BEWITCHING by Silvia-Moreno Garcia

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: “Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales. In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances. As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch. Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.

My Thoughts: Silvia Moreno-Garcia has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read Mexican Gothic. When I heard she was writing another gothic horror book focused on witches, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. This book is perfect for the spooky season! It’s eerie, paranormal, and absolutely gripping. The story follows the lives of three women: Minerva - a grad student in 1990s Massachusetts, Beatrice (Betty) - a budding horror writer in the 1930s, and Alba - a 19-year-old in 1900s Mexico,. Minerva’s thesis is focused on the life of Beatrice whose most famous book was based on the true story of her college roommate Ginny’s mysterious disappearance. As Minerva starts reading through journals Beatrice kept throughout her life, she starts to uncover what might’ve really happened to Ginny all those years ago. The deeper she digs, the more she starts noticing similar, inexplicable situations she’s experiencing in the present. Reflecting on stories Minerva’s Grandma Alba used to tell her about witches in Mexico, she realizes there might be some dark magic shadowing her now. I loved the multiple timelines and the various POVs as the mystery into Ginny’s disappearance grew more complex. Alba was my favorite character of the three women, mainly because I felt like her character arc was the most complete by the time the story wrapped up. Now, onto the sticking points of this story. There is one side character who I felt was under-utilized and whose involvement in Minerva’s timeline could’ve added another dynamic layer to her search for the truth. There was another character who was obviously used as a blatant red herring, but that wasn’t really addressed by the end of it. He showed up at random times and then was forgotten about afterwards. The ending of the book also felt a TOUCH flat, but I guess I didn’t mind how it wrapped up overall. This book is extremely atmospheric and will definitely suck you in, so if you’re looking for something witchy to read in October, I recommend picking this up!

Bunny by Mona Awad

BUNNY by Mona Awad

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Samantha Heather Mackey couldn't be more of an outsider in her small, highly selective MFA program at New England's Warren University. A scholarship student who prefers the company of her dark imagination to that of most people, she is utterly repelled by the rest of her fiction writing cohort--a clique of unbearably twee rich girls who call each other Bunny, and seem to move and speak as one. But everything changes when Samantha receives an invitation to the Bunnies' fabled Smut Salon, and finds herself inexplicably drawn to their front door--ditching her only friend, Ava, in the process. As Samantha plunges deeper and deeper into the Bunnies' sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus Workshop where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. Soon, her friendships with Ava and the Bunnies will be brought into deadly collision.

My Thoughts: Let me start by saying, this book is not going to be for everybody. I found myself asking “wtf is happening?” multiple times throughout it. However, the writing is honestly so clever that I cannot deny I thoroughly enjoyed the weird ride. Listening to Samantha’s story felt incredibly claustrophobic and you kind of have to just sit in the discomfort of it. As the black sheep of her writing program, she’s the only one not included in a clique of women she refers to as the Bunnies. She has nicknames for all of them based on unique characteristics and loves talking about how unhinged they are with her best friend Ava. That is, until she’s given an invite to the Bunnies’ infamous Smut Salon. As Samantha starts falling down the rabbit hole (pun intended lol) of this mysterious group, things start getting hella creepy, and the ability to tell what’s real and what she might be imagining becomes nearly impossible. The ending took a real twist I didn’t see coming, but also probably could’ve predicted if I wasn’t so caught up in the chaos of it all. I highly recommend the audiobook for this one because the narrator is FANTASTIC, and I think it’s easier to keep up with what’s happening due to her inflections. The next book came out mid-September and it’s from the Bunnies’ perspective, so I’m thoroughly curious to get my hands on that one. 

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum's windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams. Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil's visions. But when Sybil's fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral's cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she'd rather avoid Rodrick's dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.

My Thoughts: Okay bold statement, but I feel pretty confident in it: this is going to be my favorite fantasy book of the year. I don’t even know what to say that will do this story justice. It was detailed without being info-dumpy, dark, clever, incredibly funny at all the right times – Rachel Gillig really knocked it out of the park with this one. There weren’t any complicated maps to follow and the magic system is based on objects instead of some unseen power. I loved that Sybil never felt like the typical damsel “chosen one” for the quest to find and collect all six objects. Her strength was evident from the start, but this journey was just as much about her finding herself as it was about stopping the Omens. As for the romance… 😮‍💨 Buckle up for the slowest, hottest burn you’ve ever experienced. We are 200 pages in and they haven’t even held HANDS. I was thirsssstyyyyyy from their palpable longing. Yet, Rory is giving this “I will do anything for her even when she isn’t mine” energy that we fucking loooove to see. ALSO BARTHOLOMEW, DO NOT SLEEP ON THE GARGOYLE. OMG. That little stone beastie was the funniest character in this book. He just calls people out matter-of-factly on all their shit and then leaves them to sit in the mess of all the truths he just spat. I was so obsessed with him and squawk-laughed out loud multiple times. Honestly, the only issue I have with this book is that the wait for the second book is going to BRUTAL. 😭

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

BRIDE by Ali Hazelwood (REREAD)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again… Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was…. Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

My Thoughts: I read this book last fall and was absolutely obsessed with it (OG review here). Since the next book, Mate, comes out in early October, I wanted to give it a quick reread as a refresher. Y’all. The second time through did NOT disappoint. I loved revisiting this world riddled with complicated politics between the Weres, Vampyres, and humans, Misery remains one of the funniest romance characters I’ve encountered in a while, and I LOVED seeing the relationship between her and Lowe develop from the perspective of already knowing what was going to happen. Needless to say, if you’re looking for something spicy and swoony that’s perfect for spooky szn, Bride will not disappoint!

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s space shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space. Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easygoing even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane. As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe. Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, it all changes in an instant.

My Thoughts: Not me ugly crying on my couch in the middle of a Thursday afternoon because I thought I could casually finish listening to the audiobook while working… 🤡 Seriously though, the rumors are true: this book is ten thousand percent worth the emotional turmoil it puts you through and definitely lives up to the hype. TJR put her whole heart into this one. The book starts in December of 1984 when Joan Goodwin is working as the ground-based astronaut in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston while the rest of her crew is up in space. After a malfunction occurs, the mission is flipped on its head and the only one left conscious on the ship is Vanessa Ford. From there, the format jumps between the present as Joan and Vanessa talk through the intense situation at hand so that they can get the crew safely back to earth, and the last four years as they became one of the first classes of astronauts that allowed women to train. This story really did have everything you could want: strong female characters challenging the status quo in a male-dominated field, well-developed side characters that added the perfect amount of complexity, themes of found family and self acceptance, technical space talk that took you deeper into the world of NASA without getting confusing, chef’s-kiss-level character development, perfect pacing, quotes that will stick with you long after you’ve closed the book, and just the right amount of gut-wrenching scenes that will have you fanning your freshly-applied mascara because of-fucking-course the exact moment Joan calls her niece before Thanksgiving (IYKYK) is the exact moment you’re getting ready for work… My ONLY complaint is the AUDACITY of TJR to not give us an epilogue???? Like after that ending? Ruthless. Anywho, if it’s not obvious, I do highly recommend this book lol. 

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

THE PUMPKIN SPICE CAFÉ by Laurie Gilmore (Dream Harbor #1)

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job. Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

My Thoughts: Mmmm. I’m not sure what to say here. Like it wasn’t BAD by any means. It just felt like it embodied its title a little too hard and was as bland as a Pumpkin Spice Latte. There’s also a slight instant-love trope, and although it doesn’t totally commit to the usual feel of instant-love, that’s still my least favorite trope. So we were already starting off on a rough note there. Jeanie and Logan were both fine as characters, but they lacked the depth that would’ve made me really connect with them. Jeanie, in particular, gave off some airheaded, naïve vibes that just didn’t do it for me. Honestly, I found myself way more invested in the pack of misfit side characters and curious about what’s next for them instead. That said, I did love the cozy, atmospheric setting of Dream Harbor. It was giving Stars Hollow energy, but like your favorite home décor store threw up its entire fall line across town. There are spicy scenes, yes, but they felt a little too vanilla, which was disappointing considering the first 60% of the book is a slow burn. By the time they finally acted on their feelings, I was hoping for something a little less… mild. If you’re looking for a cozy, fall romance that’s character-driven and easy to follow, this would be a good pick. But otherwise? I’d say you can skip it.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

NOBODY IN PARTICULAR by Sophie Gonzales

Rating: 2.75/5 stars

Summary: Princess Rosemary of Henland can’t afford distractions. She’s working tirelessly to repair her image following a scandal that lost the trust of both her country and her best friend. Unfortunately, when a beautiful and funny new student joins her boarding school, Rose finds herself quite distracted indeed. Attending Bramppath College on a music scholarship, talented pianist Danni expects to be an outcast amongst the wealthy children of the elite, but she is pleasantly surprised to be taken in by the ex-best friend of the princess. The more Danni gets to know her new classmates, the more intrigued she becomes by Rose. When somebody sees something they shouldn’t and rumors circulate throughout Henland, Rose and Danni must either find a way to deflect the ever-increasing eyes on their relationship, or end it altogether. Because one thing is clear: if Rose’s fragile reputation takes any more hits, the palace will do whatever they must to separate Rose and Danni. Forever.

My Thoughts: I went back and forth on what to rate this one. It felt like a low three-star but closer to a high two, so here we are. Overall, it was super cute. I loved the premise and was long overdue for a YA royal romance storyline. Danni has just moved to Henland with her mom and stepdad and becomes the only American enrolled at Bramppath Boarding School. Despite her less-than-ideal history with new schools, she quickly befriends one of the popular girls, Molly, who also happens to be best friends with Princess Rosemary. After a recent scandal leaves Rose’s public image in shambles, she and her PR consultant work to clean things up, including hiding her sexuality from the majority-Catholic country. But as Rose and Danni grow closer, their connection deepens, and keeping their relationship (and Rose’s secret) becomes harder by the day. I really liked this audiobook overall, and I’ve heard great things about Sophie Gonzales’s writing. Still, there were a few areas where it fell flat for me. The pacing felt off, and there were multiple times I checked my progress only to be shocked by how much was left. The plot felt a bit disjointed at times, and while I appreciated that the author tackled heavier topics like grief and coming out, I wish there had been more follow-through. Some of the character reactions also felt a little over the top. I get that they’re 16 or 17 and everything feels monumental at that age, but it still read like one dramatic blowup after another. All that said, if you’re looking for a light YA romance with royal tropes and some sweet moments, this definitely delivers that vibe, it just wouldn’t be my first recommendation.

That’s it for September!

I’m hoping to incorporate some more spooky szn reads into October, but we’ll see where that gets us lol. 

2025 Book Count: 115

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one read you’re looking forward to this fall?

August 2025 Reads

Who else blinked and somehow landed at the end of August?

This summer absolutely flew by, and I cannot believe it’s already over. Between bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and soaking up every bit of sunshine I could, August was packed, but in the best way.

And let me tell you, the fantasy books I picked up this month? Absolute BANGERS. I don’t know what fantasy god decided to bless me at the start of August, but I could not miss with this genre.

Per usual, some photo highlights from the month:

From left to right: Grace’s bachelorette party ft. Mackinac Island, golfing in Ohio, hiding from sudden lighting during our beach day for Lindsey’s birthday, and CMU Night at the Tigers.

Now let’s get into everything I read this month!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

SHIELD OF SPARROWS by Devney Perry

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel. I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father's. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king. I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood. But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life. Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know. Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice. But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated? And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?

My Thoughts: BLESS THE FANTASY GODS! This was exactly what I needed after July’s fantasy SLUMP. I bopped between the audiobook and my Kindle because I couldn’t get through it fast enough lol. Odessa is the princess of Quentis, one of five kingdoms in Calandra. Her younger sister, Mae, has trained her whole life to serve as the Sparrow in a decades-old treaty. But when the prince from their rival kingdom sails to Quentis and slays the monsters terrorizing the land, he shocks everyone by choosing Odessa as his bride prize. Completely unprepared, she’s thrown into a role and a future she never imagined. And listen…this book ATE. Yes, it starts a little slow, but stick with it. As Odessa adjusts to her new life, you also get a richer view of the world: the political tensions between realms, the mystery behind the monsters’ sickness, and the intricate web of characters beyond Quentis. I was absolutely hooked. The world-building is vivid but simple, the connections—platonic and romantic—feel so real, and the plot? Neck-snapping twists at every turn lol. The premise felt fresh compared to a lot of fantasy I’ve read lately, and it was such a refreshing change of pace. If you’re looking for a phenomenal fantasy to lose yourself in for a few days, pick this one up. Bonus: it’s on KU for all my Kindle people!

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

DEEP END by Ali Hazelwood

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself. Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes. So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water...

My Thoughts: It’s been a minute since I picked up an Ali Hazelwood book—not because I don’t enjoy her writing, but because I usually like to wait until the initial hype dies down before diving in. But when I heard this one was extra spicy (and realized it had been a while since I’d indulged in some good quality smut), I decided to give it a go. And let me tell you, this book delivers on the spice. It’s definitely not for the pearl-clutchers or the faint-of-heart when it comes to open discussions of sex. The main characters engage in consensual BDSM, so if that’s not your thing, maybe sit this one out. That said, I really appreciated how thoughtfully Hazelwood handled the subject. Scarlett and Lukas’s relationship was rooted in so much mutual respect and trust that, no matter what they explored, it always felt safe and grounded. I also loved the way Hazelwood tied their sexual dynamics back to their athletic careers – how the control, discipline, and intensity required for swimming and diving translated into their preferences in the bedroom. It made the whole thing feel more layered and intentional. That said, I did find myself wishing the emotional depth went just a touch further. The connection was there, but the character development could have dug a little deeper. Still, if you’re in the mood for a steamy read with a fresh angle, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry

HERETICS ANONYMOUS by Katie Henry

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Michael is an atheist. So as he walks through the doors at St. Clare’s—a strict Catholic school—sporting a plaid tie, things can’t get much worse. His dad has just made the family move again, and Michael needs a friend. When a girl challenges their teacher in class, Michael thinks he might have found one, and a fellow nonbeliever at that. Only this girl, Lucy, is not just Catholic . . . she wants to be a priest. But Lucy introduces Michael to other St. Clare’s outcasts, and he officially joins Heretics Anonymous, where he can be an atheist, Lucy can be an outspoken feminist, Avi can be Jewish and gay, Max can wear whatever he wants, and Eden can practice paganism. After an incident in theology class, Michael encourages the Heretics to go from secret society to rebels intent on exposing the school’s hypocrisies. When Michael takes one mission too far—putting the other Heretics at risk—he must decide whether to fight for his own freedom, or rely on faith, whatever that means, in God, his friends, or himself.

My Thoughts: Okay, listen. As a recovering Catholic and someone who spent all of elementary school in Catholic education, I found this book wildly entertaining. To be clear, it’s not a roast of Catholicism or religion in general, but there were plenty of moments that felt incredibly relatable. Michael’s dad just moved the family again, and thanks to a reference from his boss, Michael ends up at the local Catholic high school. As an atheist, this is basically his worst nightmare. Given his track record of struggling to fit in as the new kid, making friends feels impossible - until he meets Lucy. Outspoken and fearless, Lucy’s an outcast herself, thanks to her dream of becoming a priest. She introduces Michael to her circle of fellow “fringe” students: Avi, who’s Jewish and gay; Eden, a Celtic Polytheist; and Max, who insists on wearing a cloak every day despite St. Clare’s dress code. Together, they form Heretics Anonymous. From there, hijinks ensue. Their group gets into hilarious, heretical shenanigans as they push back against the school’s rules. I cackled out loud more than once. What I especially appreciated was that the author avoided turning religious figures into caricatures. The portrayal of being a non-Catholic in a Catholic school felt authentic and respectful, while still leaning into the humor. At its core, this book isn’t so much about religion as it is about friendship, found family, and embracing people who see the world differently. Sure, I wish a few of the characters had been fleshed out more, but overall, I loved spending time with them. This book was funny, sharp, and unexpectedly heartwarming.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE by Dolly Alderton

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: The wildly funny, occasionally heartbreaking internationally bestselling memoir about growing up, growing older, and learning to navigate friendships, jobs, loss, and love along the ride When it comes to the trials and triumphs of becoming an adult, journalist and former Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton has seen and tried it all. In her memoir, she vividly recounts falling in love, finding a job, getting drunk, getting dumped, realizing that Ivan from the corner shop might just be the only reliable man in her life, and that absolutely no one can ever compare to her best girlfriends. Everything I Know About Love is about bad dates, good friends and—above all else— realizing that you are enough. Glittering with wit and insight, heart and humor, Dolly Alderton’s unforgettable debut weaves together personal stories, satirical observations, a series of lists, recipes, and other vignettes that will strike a chord of recognition with women of every age—making you want to pick up the phone and tell your best friends all about it. Like Bridget Jones’ Diary but all true, Everything I Know About Love is about the struggles of early adulthood in all its terrifying and hopeful uncertainty.

My Thoughts: Wow. This is one of the most relatable books I’ve read in a while. Dolly Alderton holds nothing back as she recounts raw and vulnerable anecdotes from throughout her 20s that touch on everything from love, heartbreak, friendships, becoming an adult, figuring out your career, understanding the deeper motives behind destructive behaviors and more. My friends and I have this saying when we’re about to do something scary or exciting, etc.: “Do it for the content.” This memoir is the epitome of that. It’s a collection of stories capturing all of the highs and lows of what it is to be a woman just trying to figure out what this life is all about. I think it’s definitely a book most millennial women would relate to, but I think anyone would get something out of it. Also, I guess they made this into a show on Peacock. I haven’t watched it yet but have it on my list to start soon!

Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider

METAL SLINGER by Rachel Scheinder

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Brynn has spent the better part of her life waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta, the very same people who exiled the Alaha to live a life over the sea. A rite of passage for all young guards, she’s not sure what to expect from it, but breaking a century- long peace treaty certainly isn’t on her map. Neither is the encounter with an enemy soldier. Returning home to Alaha, she’s confronted with the aftermath of the day’s events. The future is uncertain as the threat of hunger looms over the people. With rumors of a growing rebellion, Brynn and her closest friends promise to stick together. When an unexpected visitor arrives, Brynn’s loyalty will be tested as she learns of a world of magic and treachery. Once her enemy, always her enemy, right? But the dark, knowing eyes of a stranger make her question everything…including her heart.

My Thoughts: WOW. LOL. ANOTHER BANGER? This story hits the ground running and never once takes its foot off the gas. After causing a massive mishap that shatters a century-long peace treaty between Kenta and the exiled people of Alaha, Brynn has no idea what to expect. What she definitely didn’t have on her bingo card was the enemy soldier she clashed with during said mishap showing up days later at Alaha – asking to speak with her. Against her better judgment (and giving in to curiosity), Brynn discovers a hidden world of magic and the shocking truth about where she really comes from. Cue a treacherous journey back to Kenta with the one soldier she has every reason not to trust. Without spoiling too much…this book SLAPPED. I was so far gone, I forgot to come up for air. Between uncovering Brynn’s history, the razor-sharp politics across the realms, and the sizzling romance brewing between Brynn and Acker, you could not pry my Kindle from my hands. AND THEN. At about 95%, the author yanks the rug out from under you with a 3-page chapter that makes you question literally everything you’ve just read. I gasped so loudly, I’m pretty sure my neighbors heard me. If you’re ready to be completely wrecked by a fantasy novel, this is the one lol.

Pure Innocent Fun by Ira Madison III

PURE INNOCENT FUN: ESSAYS by Ira Madison III

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In this nostalgic and raucous collection of sixteen original essays, Ira Madison III—critic, television writer, and host of the beloved podcast "Keep It"—combines memoir and criticism to offer a brand-new pop-culture manifesto. You can recall the first TV show, movie, book, or song that made you feel understood—that shaped how you live, what you love, and who you would become. It gave you an entire worldview. For Ira Madison, that book was Chuck Klosterman's Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, which cemented the idea that pop culture could be a rigorous subject—and that, for better or for worse, it shapes all of us. Here Madison explores the key cultural moments that inspired his career as a critic and guided his coming of age as a Black gay man in Milwaukee. In this hilarious, full throttle trip through the 1990s and 2000s, he recounts learning about sex from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his mom's Lil' Kim CDs; facing the most heartbreaking election of his youth (not George W. Bush's 2004 re-election but Jennifer Hudson's losing American Idol); observing how Jerry Springer accidentally shaped queer representation; and how never getting his driver’s license in high school made him just like Cher Horowitz in Clueless: “A virgin who can’t drive.”

My Thoughts: This was fine! It’s a shorter essay collection that taps into some solid millennial nostalgia, especially around TV, music, and movies from the ’90s and early 2000s. I didn’t know who Ira Madison III was before picking this up, and honestly, I don’t feel like I know him that much better after reading, but I still enjoyed the anecdotes he wove into his memoir. The low-key tea on certain celebrities, behind-the-scenes tidbits from TV shows and movies, and the cultural references sprinkled throughout kept things entertaining. I especially liked stumbling across moments I hadn’t heard of before (like Tom Cruise introducing Katie Holmes as his girlfriend on Oprah), because it gave me an excuse to look them up. If you’re into pop culture or enjoy books that revisit staple media moments from the ’90s and early aughts, I think you’ll have fun with this one. 

The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk

THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE: BRAIN, MIND, AND BODY IN THE HEALING OF TRAUMA by Bessel van der Kolk

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing. Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world's foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers' capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain's natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk's own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

My Thoughts: If this book hasn’t crossed your radar yet, it’s one you need to pick up. It dives deep into the connection between the brain, the body, and how both process trauma, and I found it absolutely fascinating. Dr. van der Kolk breaks down the science of the brain, explaining which areas are triggered during different experiences, how the body stores unprocessed emotions, and the surprising ways trauma can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally. He also explores decades of research into treatments that have shown promising results for patients on their healing journeys. While it is research-heavy, the book is also intensely human. Through case studies and patient stories, Dr. van der Kolk adds an emotional weight that makes the science even more impactful. That said, I’d definitely recommend checking trigger warnings before diving in as some of the experiences described, especially those involving childhood trauma, are difficult to read. Still, this book was deeply eye-opening and one I think nearly everyone could take something valuable from.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig (The Shepherd King #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders. If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom. And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth's head. The Nightmare. And he's not eager to share any longer.

My Thoughts: To be clear, I’m rating this book entirely on vibes lol. I first read One Dark Window back in January and then, for some reason, put off picking up this sequel - even though I loved the first one. I’d heard mixed things about Two Twisted Crowns, but after two trusted fantasy friends recently recommended it, I finally dove in. And honestly? I freaking loved that this one shifted into a multiple-POV format instead of sticking mainly with Elspeth again. Don’t get me wrong, she’s likable, but this book gave some of the side characters from the first installment the space to truly shine. Elm – the spare prince whose brother (aka the spawn of Satan) is currently in a coma. He’s suddenly forced to step up as heir while also helping Elspeth’s cousin, Ione, track down her Maiden card. Ravyn – Elspeth’s lover boy and captain of the guard, determined to reunite all the Providence cards to save his dying little brother and free Elspeth from the monster possessing her body. The Shepherd King – the guy responsible for basically everyone’s problems, but also the character we know the least about. The plot was solid, even with the story spread across different characters’ individual missions that eventually wove into the bigger picture. But what really hooked me was the character development—especially the messy, layered, and heartfelt relationships between everyone. Was it the perfect second book in this duology? For me, absolutely. For everyone? Probably not. But I 100000% think it’s worth picking up so you can form your own opinion.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

OATHBOUND by Tracy Deonn (The Legend Born Cycle #3)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Severed from the Legendborn. Oathbound to a monster. Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe. But Bree’s decision has come with a terrible price: an unbreakable bargain with the Shadow King himself, a shapeshifter who can move between humanity, the demon underworld, and the Legendborn secret society. In exchange for training to wield her unprecedented abilities, Bree has put her future in the Shadow King’s hands—and unwittingly bound herself to do his bidding as his new protégé. Meanwhile, the other Scions must face war with their Round Table fractured, leaderless, and missing its Kingsmage, as Selwyn has also disappeared. When Nick is detained by the Order’s Merlins, he invokes an ancient law that requires the High Council of Regents to convene at the Northern Keep and grant him an audience. No one knows what he will demand of them...or what secrets he has kept hidden from the Table. As a string of mysterious kidnappings escalates and Merlins are found dead, it becomes clear that no matter how hard Bree runs from who she is, the past will always find her.

My Thoughts: This hurts to admit, but this is the only fantasy book that left me wanting more this month. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved diving back into The Legendborn Cycle world and spending time with these dynamic characters. Plus, after the massive cliffhanger in Bloodmarked, I was desperate to see what would happen next. To my surprise (and delight), this book is told from multiple POVs: Bree, William <3, Mariah, Selwyn’s mom, and more. That format was so refreshing because while I adore Bree, I’ve also grown attached to so many of the other characters in this series. Getting to see their individual journeys and perspectives made the story more engaging and interesting. That said, the plot itself felt a little messy. Somehow, both a lot happened and not much happened at all lol. This installment leaned heavily into the rootcrafter side of Bree’s magic, which was great for diving deeper into who the Shadow King really is and what his goals are with the Legendborn. But by the end, it didn’t feel like much had actually been resolved. I know this series was originally planned as a trilogy and later expanded into four books, so I think some of that shows here. This one ended up feeling more like a “bridging book.” And at 656 pages, the juice wasn’t totally worth the squeeze. Still, if you love this series as much as I do, it’s definitely worth the read. I just don’t know if I’ll have it in me to reread before book four drops lol.

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto

ROSE IN CHAINS by Julie Soto

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Summary: The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead. Captured as her castle is overrun by the enemy, Briony Rosewood knows that the world as she knows it is changed forever. The dark forces of Bomard have won and her people, the Eversuns, face imminent servitude, imprisonment or death. Her brother, fated to be heir twice over and unite the warring kingdoms, is dead. Stripped of her Mind Magic and her freedom, Briony and the other survivors are quickly auctioned off to the highest bidders in an auction – and as the heir-apparent’s sister, she fetches the highest price. After a fierce bidding war, she’s sold to none other than Toven a high ranking Bomardsun – and her long-time and ill-fated infatuation. Scion of a family known for their cruel control of Heart Magic, the Hearsts are ruthlessly ambitious, and Briony knows they will use her however they can to further their own interests. Yet despite the horrors of her new world and the role she must learn to play within it, all is not lost. Help – and hope – may yet arise in the most unlikely of places…

My Thoughts: OKAY SO. If you’ve been around here this year, you know I’ve been deep in my Dramione era. This book is another one that started as fanfiction and blew up so much it landed a traditional publishing deal—with the story reimagined outside the HP world. To my surprise, it turned out to be the brilliant brain of Julie Soto behind it all lol. So when I found out she wrote a fantasy inspired by her OG Draco/Hermione fanfic, I freaking JUMPED on it. This was a one-sit read for me…or it would’ve been if real life (work, obligations, etc.) didn’t get in the way. I was OBSESSED. It’s one of those stories that pulls you in so quickly you look up at 80% and can’t believe you’re almost done. Sure, there are parallels you can pick out between this and the HP world, but never in a way that made it feel unoriginal. This book is entirely its own. The story follows Briony Rosewood, princess of the fallen kingdom of the Eversuns. Her people, masters of Mind Magic, were overtaken by the Bromards, who wield Heart Magic and, after the siege, auction off captured Eversuns to their ruling houses. Briony ends up in the house of Toven Hearst – her former school rival and the only one who knows the secret behind her twin brother’s rise to become king. The world-building? Rich. The magic system? Easy to grasp but layered with clever nuances. The politics? Sharp yet perfectly messy. The romance? A slow burn of the highest order. I was an absolute SIMP for every word. I cannot wait for the sequel, even though there’s not even a projected publish date yet 🥲. Either way, I cannot recommend this one enough!

Direbound by Sable Sorensen

DIREBOUND by Sable Sorensen (The Wolves of Ruin #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Only the worthy survive the Bonding Trials. She’ll risk her life—and her heart—to be one of them. Meryn Cooper has always hated the Bonded, elite warriors who form mental links with the massive, vicious direwolves they ride. While they live in luxury, Meryn struggles to keep her family out of poverty. When her little sister, Saela, is kidnapped—stolen across the border by the immortal monsters her country has spent centuries fighting—Meryn’s world falls apart. Desperate to cross the front and save her sister, Meryn enlists in the army and is thrown into the deadly Bonding Trials, where any mistake will cost her life. Now Meryn must survive four months of training at the castle. She is bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate. The other trainees would love to spill her common blood. And her cold and beautiful instructor, Stark Therion, is eager to punish any weakness. Everything is a competition, and everyone is out to get her—everyone except the dangerously handsome crown prince, whose attention adds another target to her back. In the castle, every smile hides a knife…and the halls hide dark secrets. It’s bond or bleed. Duel or die. Failure is ruin.

My Thoughts: HOT. DAMN. Another Kindle Unlimited banger, and I’m so freaking happy with how much I loved this one. Full disclosure: I’m rating this strictly the fact that it had me in such a chokehold. I could barely focus on anything else, just counting down the minutes until I could dive back in. The overall vibes? Think Fourth Wing meets Quicksilver meets The Hunger Games. But don’t get me wrong, it still felt unique and fresh. Meryn Cooper is a commoner doing whatever it takes to keep her family afloat—street fighting, odd jobs, anything to stay out of poverty. When her little sister is kidnapped by the Siphons (basically vampires), Meryn enlists in the army to get to the front lines as quickly as possible. The caveat? This year also happens to be a Bonding Trials year, where soldiers have the chance to bond with direwolves. Despite her best efforts to avoid it, Meryn ends up connected to one who refuses to communicate with her. Cue her being thrown into brutal, high-stakes trials designed to cull the weakest bonds from the pack. I was hooked watching Meryn struggle to survive as a commoner among elites who’ve trained for this their whole lives. Was she SO stubborn and INCREDIBLY impulsive? Absolutely. But honestly, those flaws made her character arc that much more rewarding. On top of the action-packed trials, there are so many mysteries unfolding that had me speculating nonstop lol. Between the grief of losing her sister, the growing friendships with her packmates, and the slow-burn tension with her broody instructor, this book had everything I crave in fantasy. And THAT CLIFFHANGER? Shut up. So rude. Anyway, if you’re looking for a fantasy read that’ll grab you and not let go, I definitely recommend checking this one out.

That’s it for August!

I’m hoping to kick off the fall with some great books, so if you have any recommendations, I’m all ears.

2025 Book Count: 101

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one of your favorite reads of the summer?

July 2025 Reads

The “busy season” of summer has officially arrived and I cannot believe July is already over. 

I feel like I haven’t even gotten to enjoy the outdoors as much this year because it’s just been so freaking hot and offensively HUMID. You can thank the sweaty corn of the midwest for that excessive moisture. Yes, corn sweat. It’s a real thing. Look it up. 

To keep this intro brief so that you don’t skip it like the start of a recipe on Pinterest, I’ll just provide a few highlight photos from this month lol:

From top left: the gathering event I hosted at my new place, Kate & Dan’s Wedding, Art Fair, and Sare’s Bachelorette!

All righty, let’s get into everything I read in July. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. 

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordon

THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Lately, mythological monsters and the Olympian gods seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy Jackson’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus.

My Thoughts: I had never read this series despite how popular it has become over the years. To complete one of the yearly challenges on Storygraph though, I had to read a book outside of my usual genre. So I decided to lean into some middle grade fantasy with this story. Let me just say, I totally understand why kids and teens love this book. Its format keeps the pace moving quickly, it’s packed with endless action and humor, and Percy’s character makes following him on this quest thoroughly enjoyable. However, allow me to dust off my soap box so that I can properly ROAST some of this book lol. FIRST OF ALL, Percy would be NOTHING without Grover and Annabelle. Percy is the person in your friend group who gets along with literally everyone, but they also have a hard time catching your nonverbal cues when you are trying to get them to leave a conversation because the other person is a little sus or you plainly do not like them lol. Like yeah, Percy, ignore Annabelle, daughter of Athena - goddess of wisdom. She probably won’t know the wisest thing to do in any given situation… ALSO, yer telling me, Poseidon, god of the SEA, can’t get from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic quicker than 12-year-old Percy can travel across the country to meet with you at the Santa Monica Pier of all places. Like how lazy and also cliche of you?? Anyway, I enjoyed this overall lmao, and definitely recommend it for any young teens in your life. Or if you just enjoy things involving Greek mythology, you might enjoy this!

The Wicked King by Holly Black

THE WICKED KING by Holly Black (The Folk of the Air, #2)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring. The first lesson is to make yourself strong. After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished. When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

My Thoughts: Okay, we love it when the already unstable politics get even messier. With Cardan officially crowned King of Elfhame and Jude acting as his power behind the throne, she’s determined to keep him in check until her younger brother is old enough to rule. But she’s juggling a lot as more ruling courts start joining the group chat of power struggle. Jude now has to outmaneuver not only her calculating stepfather, the General, but also the Queen of the Undersea, whose ocean-dwelling faeries are making some serious moves for the crown. What really stood out to me in this book was Jude’s character development. While some of her impulsiveness from the last book still lingers, she’s clearly grown more strategic, more capable, and far better at executing plans now that her secret coup has succeeded. That said, her interpersonal relationships could still use a little work - especially when it comes to Cardan. The tension between them is frustrating. They get so close to being real with each other, only to retreat behind their emotional armor. Every time they take two steps forward, someone flinches and they stumble three steps back. If you’re not big on romance, don’t worry. This book leans more into the political tensions and high-stakes betrayals than love stories. The end portion of this book made my jaw clench so hard, so I’m obvi moving onto the next book ASAP because I have to know how the current situation plays out. If the Cruel Prince left you feeling a little underwhelmed, just know this second book makes up for what that one lacked!

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

THE QUEEN OF NOTHING by Holly Black (The Folk of the Air, #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Power is much easier to acquire than it is to hold onto. Jude learned this lesson when she released her control over the wicked king, Cardan, in exchange for immeasurable power. Now as the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is powerless and left reeling from Cardan’s betrayal. She bides her time determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose mortal life is in peril. Jude must risk venturing back into the treacherous Faerie Court, and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan, if she wishes to save her sister. But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing. As Jude slips deep within enemy lines she becomes ensnared in the conflict’s bloody politics. And, when a dormant yet powerful curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing her to choose between her ambition and her humanity.

My Thoughts: Okay, so the last book left us on a major cliffhanger with Jude getting banished to the mortal realm after agreeing to release her hold on King Cardan. Even though she’s basically a SIMP for the faerie world (and literally its queen), she can’t risk showing her face in Elfhame or she might be executed for treason. But when her twin sister is summoned to testify before the royal court, Jude has to take her place because unlike Taryn, Jude can actually resist fae magic. Unsurprisingly, the second Jude steps back into the faerie world, she’s thrown right back into the political cluster fuck that got her exiled in the first place. I’ve got to be honest, I was a little frustrated with how long it took for Jude’s character development to kick in. It felt like we were pretty deep into the book before she started making smarter choices. She was constantly distrusting the wrong people while totally trusting the ones she absolutely shouldn’t. Also we GOTTA talk about the whole “Cardan turns into a giant worm” situation. Like, WUT LOL?! It’s tied to some old prophecy about the kind of king he’d become, and everyone’s obsessed with it, but I definitely did not have “giant worm” on my faerie fantasy bingo card. All I could picture was that episode of SpongeBob with the Alaskan bull worm where Sandy rides it like she’s back in Texas. Totally unhinged, but also kind of iconic. Anyway, final thoughts on the series: I enjoyed the journey overall. It had the drama, the betrayal, the magic. But I do wish the final book had ended on a stronger note. Still, if you like messy fae politics and slow-burn power plays, this series delivers.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

THE FROZEN RIVER by Ariel Lawhon

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

My Thoughts: This book absolutely lives up to the hype, and the fact that it’s based on a true story makes it even more powerful. The story follows Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer in the town of Hallowell, who knows all about the private lives of her neighbors. She keeps a meticulous diary of every birth, death, and illness in the community - including a disturbing account of an alleged rape involving the pastor’s wife and two respected men in town. When one of those men, Joshua Burgess, is found dead face down in the icy river, Martha is the first to examine the body and perform an autopsy. Her conclusion is that Joshua was murdered. But when a newly arrived physician (who just so happens to be close with the local judge) questions her findings and authority, Martha decides to take matters into her own hands and uncover the truth herself. This book has so many complex layers. Set during a time when women had little voice or power, it paints a vivid picture of how even someone like Martha, with decades of medical experience, was constantly dismissed and undermined. It was infuriating, heartbreaking, and yet so deeply satisfying to see her refuse to back down. Martha’s fight to advocate for the women in her community and to speak up when others tried to silence her is what makes this story so phenomenal. If you’re looking for a historical fiction novel that’s immersive, moving, and grounded in real-life resilience, this is a must-read. And definitely don’t skip the author’s note! It adds so much context and depth to Martha’s story.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston

SOUNDS LIKE LOVE by Ashley Poston

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Joni Lark is living the dream. She’s one of the most coveted songwriters in LA…and she can’t seem to write. There’s an emptiness inside her, and nothing seems to fill it. When she returns to her hometown of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, she hopes that the sand, the surf, and the concerts at The Revelry, her family’s music venue, will spark her inspiration. But when she gets there, nothing is how she left it. Her best friend is avoiding her, her mother’s memories are fading fast, and The Revelry is closing. How can she think about writing her next song when everything is changing without her? Until she hears it. A melody in her head, lyric-less and half-formed, and an alluring and addictive voice to go with it—belonging, apparently, to a wry musician with hangups of his own. Surely, he’s a figment of her overworked imagination. But then the very real man attached to the voice shows up in Vienna Shores. He’s aggravating and gruff on the outside—nothing like the sweet, funny voice in Joni’s head—and he has a plan: They’ll finish the song haunting them both, break their connection, and hope they don’t risk their hearts in the process. Because that song stuck in their heads? Maybe it’s there for a reason.

My Thoughts:  What I love about Ashley Poston’s writing is the way she weaves magical realism into her stories without making it feel far-fetched. It’s subtle, grounded, and blends seamlessly into the emotional core of her books—which is usually romance, and this book carries that same quiet magic. In this story, we follow Joni, a successful and in-demand songwriter in LA who suddenly finds herself creatively blocked after her mom is diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Right before heading home to North Carolina, she crosses paths with Sebastian Fell—a former boy band member and the son of a legendary rocker her parents adore. She’s not impressed and figures that’s the end of it. But once she’s back home, she starts hearing a melody - and a voice - in her head. Not-so-spoiler alert: it’s Sebastian. And the only way to break the mysterious connection between them is to finish writing a song together. I really enjoyed their dynamic. There’s something so moving to me about two characters going through difficult, lonely experiences on their own, slowly finding connection and comfort in each other. It gave the story a lot of heart. Joni’s family and the cast of side characters brought so much personality to the story, too. I could practically hear the noise of one of their chaotic family dinners. Some moments leaned a little cheesy, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s not my favorite Ashley Poston book, so I wouldn’t recommend starting here if you’re new to her writing. But if you already enjoy her blend of heart, magic, and romance, I think you’ll find a lot to love in this one.

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden

THE BOYFRIEND by Freida McFadden

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it all: 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...

My Thoughts: This was my second Freida McFadden book, but my first experience with her writing via audiobook and I am pleased to report it did not disappoint. The book bounces between the present where 34-year-old Sydney Shaw is navigating the dating scene and after a few disaster dates, has basically given up on men. A few weeks after her friend and neighbor, Bonnie, is brutally murdered inside her apartment, Sydney hits it off with a handsome, successful doctor and immediately falls head over heels for this unicorn. Meanwhile the police are still trying to figure out who killed her friend and whether it’s part of a recent pattern of murders. Then we also get a glimpse of the past from the perspective of a boy named Tom. A few girls from his high school have gone missing recently and the police are trying to figure out what’s happening. Though Tom definitely has some dark thoughts, he manages never to act on them. Y’all. As a woman dating in her thirties, this book makes me never want to date again lol. I was absolutely reeling trying to figure out the connection between the two timelines and characters mentioned throughout because I KNEW it couldn’t be THAT obvious. However, my jaw was on the FLOOR once the plot twist was revealed. I was just like OH MY GOD HOW DID I NOT SEE THAT?? Needless to say, if you like a quick and twisty thriller, I highly recommend picking this up! 

Beach Read by Emily Henry

BEACH READ by Emily Henry (REREAD)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no-one will fall in love. Really.

My Thoughts: This was my book club’s summer pick, and although it was a reread for me, it had been about four years since I first picked it up. According to my original review, I gave it five stars, and this time around, I decided to try the audiobook to see how the experience compared. Let me just say: Julia Whelan could read the ingredients off a Campbell’s soup can and I’d still be hooked. So the fact that she narrates this book was a total bonus. My second read was just as fulfilling as the first. Set in a fictional beach town along Lake Michigan, the setting is so vividly written it’s easy to picture yourself right there with the sun on your face and sand inbetween your toes. The characters are beautifully flawed and deeply real, and their emotional arcs hit just as hard this time around. Unsurprisingly, I was obsessed with the banter between January and Gus, and completely swooned over their undeniable connection. That said, now that I’m more familiar with Emily Henry’s writing style, the romance didn’t hit me quite as hard as it did the first time. The magic was still there, but the initial wow factor had naturally worn off a bit - hence the (very gentle) half-star deduction. Still, I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for the perfect summer romance with a lake escape.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE by Samantha Shannon

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: A world divided. A queendom without an heir. An ancient enemy awakens. The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction – but assassins are getting closer to her door. Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic. Across the dark sea, Tané has trained to be a dragonrider since she was a child, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel. Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

My Thoughts: Woof. Lately I’ve been second-guessing whether I’m actually a high fantasy girly anymore, but I mean, this was high-high fantasy. The story felt dense, and at over 800 pages, getting through it was a serious slog, especially at the beginning. The narrative jumps not only between the eastern and western regions of the world, but also between different kingdoms within those regions - and then again between multiple characters in those kingdoms. So keeping track of who’s where, what they’re doing, and why felt like mental gymnastics. Add in complex religious systems, layered political hierarchies, and an intricate magic structure, and it’s a lot to juggle. The pacing didn’t help either. The first half of the book was the slowest of slow burns. Things finally picked up around the midpoint with more action, higher stakes, and dangerous quests, which added some much-needed momentum. But then around the 80% mark, the pace dipped again, and the story started to feel disjointed. Honestly, I think this book would’ve worked better split into two. The writing is objectively strong, the premise is original, and there are a lot of compelling elements throughout. Personally though, the juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze on this one (pun very much intended).

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

THE TEACHER by Freida McFadden

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: Okay, I’d heard mixed reviews about this one before diving in. Two of my friends have read several of Freida McFadden’s books - one loved this one, the other hated it - so I really didn’t know what to expect going in. Let me just say: if you’re into unlikable characters and unreliable narrators, this book is the ultimate combo meal. The story is told primarily from two perspectives: Eve, a 30-year-old high school math teacher stuck in a miserable marriage and obsessed with designer shoes, and Addie, a junior at the same school who’s become a pariah ever since she got a teacher fired over rumors of an inappropriate relationship. I could NOT stand Addie. She’s so unhinged and naive it made my teeth grind. Eve wasn’t exactly a ray of sunshine either - pretty cold toward her students and not the easiest to root for - but I found her chapters more tolerable overall. The twist comes very late in the book, and I have to admit I did not see it coming. At all. That said, it also felt a bit like a “gotcha!” moment. There weren’t many clues or breadcrumbs to help you piece things together, so while the shock factor was there, it lacked that satisfying “ohhh I had a hunch” feeling. Still, if you’re looking for a mystery/thriller that doesn’t lean too heavily on gore or body count, this one is a solid pick. There’s a bit of darkness, but the real story is about piecing together the character dynamics and figuring out how the prologue fits into it all. Not my favorite Freida book so far, but I’m definitely enjoying her writing.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

SAVOR IT by Tarah DeWitt

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Summer won't last forever. Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) her entire life. She's learned to love her small world, with the misfit animals on her hobby farm, and her friendships with the town’s inhabitants. But when her 5-year relationship ends and her ex, town-golden-boy Ian, suddenly gets engaged, Sage needs a win―something that will convince everyone to stop pitying her all the time, and to put Ian in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition, would be the perfect opportunity. She just needs a partner. Fisher Lange was a hotshot chef in New York City until the loss of his sister left him numb, grieving, and responsible for his teenage niece Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him and Indy to Spunes on a much-needed summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. But when clashes with the townspeople threaten his last chance to redeem himself and a kiss with his new neighbor Sage leads to dating rumors, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around. A deal is struck. Sage will improve Fisher’s image in the eyes of the town and remove the roadblocks he is facing with the restaurant, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. But as their pact quickly turns into steamy rendezvous, emotional wounds begin to heal, and the pair tries to savor every moment, they start to realize that summer is racing by much faster than they would like...

My Thoughts: This was such a cute read! It had been a while since I dipped back into a Kindle Unlimited, country-themed romance, but I was craving something comforting and familiar, and this book totally hit the spot. Sage Byrd has spent her whole life in Spunes, Oregon. She’s built a reputation as a beloved teacher, friendly neighbor, and the go-to person for anyone who needs a hand. But after a recent breakup with one of the town’s golden boys, she’s over the pitying looks and comments. Determined to prove she’s doing just fine, Sage decides to enter (and win) the town’s annual summer competition. All she needs now is a partner. Enter Fisher, a James Beard Award–winning chef, who’s spending the summer in Spunes with his teenage niece. Both of them are in need of a break from their lives in New York and Nebraska, and Fisher just so happens to land a sabbatical in the quiet coastal town. He’s staying on the other side of Sage’s farm, so their paths were bound to cross. It started with a bit of a slow burn attraction between Sage and Fisher, but as soon as that spark ignited, you might as well have thrown gasoline over the two. The plethora of quirky side characters is what made this book entertaining though - especially all of Sage’s animals lol. I wouldn’t say this was a mind-blowing romance novel by any means but it gave me what I needed and I enjoyed it overall. 

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

WE COULD BE RATS by Emily R. Austin

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Sigrid hates working at the Dollar Pal but having always resisted the idea of growing up into the trappings of adulthood, she did not graduate high school, preferring to roam the streets of her small town with her best friend Greta, the only person in the world who ever understood her. Her older sister Margit is baffled and frustrated by Sigrid’s inability to conform to the expectations of polite society. But Sigrid’s detachment veils a deeper turmoil and sensitivity. She’s haunted by the pains of her past—from pretending her parents were swamp monsters when they shook the floorboards with their violent arguments to grappling with losing Greta’s friendship to the opioid epidemic ravaging their town. As Margit sets out to understand Sigrid and the secrets she has hidden, both sisters, in their own time and way, discover that reigniting their shared childhood imagination is the only way forward. What unfolds is an unforgettable story of two sisters finding their way back to each other, and a celebration of that transcendent, unshakable bond.

My Thoughts: A few months ago, I read Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin (review here) and freaking loved how real that character felt and the quirkiness to this author’s writing. So when I saw she was publishing a new book soon, I had to jump on it. This time around I went the audiobook route and was glad I did since the subject matter of this story was a bit heavier than I bargained for. The first portion of the book features many failed attempts at suicide notes written by one of the sisters this book follows, Sigrid. We get a better look inside her brain, what was going on in her life, and what drove her to follow through with it. Then we switch perspectives to her sister Margrit who is grappling with the aftermath of her sister’s decision and how that inflates anxiety, gulit, and more into her everyday life. The plot twist was one I did not see coming and had me glued to the remainder of the book. Though this story was definitely dark, it still incorporated Austin’s signature quirkiness that made the overall tone much lighter than I expected. Obviously check trigger warnings on this one, but I’d recommend it for a reflective read. 

That’s it for July!

Hoping to have some fantasy redemption in August, but we shall see where my mood takes me! In the meantime, I’ll be floating through one of the busiest social seasons I’ve had in a while. Catch me taking regular naps out here lol. 

2025 Book Count: 91

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one of your favorite reads of July?

June 2025 Reads

Listen. This month was absolute chaos between work and moving into my condo, but let me just say, THANK THE LORT for central A/C. 

Can you believe that I haven’t had central A/C for the last nine years? NINE. Do you know how SPOILED I feel not knowing how hot it is outside unless I leave my condo?

I used to have to set up a whole labyrinth of fans in my previous apartments so that I would hopefully get a WISP of cool air across my skin at night lol. Now all ya girl has to do is tap-tap that down button and you can catch me standing underneath the air vent looking like the cover of Flash Dance (without the water or ability to bend my back like that lol.)

This is kind of like how I felt when I got a new car and finally understood the hype behind a back-up camera. Ya girl is LIVING.

Anywho, I didn’t get through as many books this month because I was busy, but most of what I read was definitely worth it!

So let’s get into everything I read in June!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

THE IRRESISTIBLE URGE TO FALL FOR YOUR ENEMY by Brigitte Knightley

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, is in dire need of healing. Naturally – such is the grim comedy of fate – the only healer who can help is Aurienne Fairhrim, preeminent scientist, bastion of moral good, and member of an enemy Order. Aurienne is desperate for funding to heal the sick - so desperate that, when Osric bribes her to help him, she accepts, even if she detests him and everything he stands for. A forced collaboration ensues: the brilliant Woman in STEM is coerced into working with the PhD in Murders, much to Aurienne's disgust. As Osric and Aurienne work together to heal his illness and investigate the mysterious reoccurrence of a deadly pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction, which only fuels the heat between them.

My Thoughts: Okay, so if you’ll remember (you won’t lol), I was heavily into my Dramoine era going into 2025 and was reading a bit of Draco Malfoy/Hermoine Granger fanfic - specifically from the website An Archive of Our Own. One of the fanfic books I read and freaking loved was called Draco Malfoy & the Mortifying Ordeal of Falling in Love (find my review here). What I learned soon after finishing that gem is that the author was offered a traditional book deal by one of the big publishing houses to rewrite that book outside of the Harry Potter world. So you couldn’t get the OG fanfic online anymore. WELL, shout out to my girl Ayse who is a buyer for a nonprofit book store in Chicago called Semicolon (shop local if you’re in the area!!!). They had a collab event with Berkley Romance, and she gave me all of the ARCs she got from it and THIS BOOK WAS IN THAT BATCH OMG. To say I was excited is an understatement. Now onto the actual book review lol. The banter was phenomenal and thank god because the OG had some of the quickest quippy wit I’ve encountered in a MINUTE. While the plot was also very similar, I appreciated that the author put a spin on it so that it genuinely felt like a completely different literary experience. She didn’t cross over the human and magical worlds as much in this one, but the MFC still had one foot in each realm which made Aurienne’s backstory feel much more authentic. The MMC is still a morally gray broody boy that we all love to love, and although Osric has some Draco-parallel qualities, his personality is thoroughly his own. When she says this book is a slow burn though… woooooweee. She means it. While I was thoroughly entertained by the storyline and variety of misfit characters, I did notice that the build-up to any sort of attraction or romance was definitely slow going. Right when we start to see a spark and feel a little heat coming off the fire, the book comes to a close leaving everything on a cliffhanger. So on one hand, I’m freaking pumped this means there will be a second book! On the other hand, COME ON LOL. You made me go THAT LONG without some much-needed palpable sexual tension?? Rude. Just rude. Anyway, I obviously recommend this book once it’s published on July 8th lol.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black (The Folk of the Air, #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

My Thoughts: I know this series has been circulating in the fantasy lovers’ ether for a while, and I can’t remember why I dug my heels in on reading it until now lol. This wasn’t groundbreaking, but I did appreciate that it was just different enough to make it feel like its own fantasy experience. Jude is a human who was adopted by her half sister’s fey father after he murdered their parents. As a human in the fey world, she gets bullied relentlessly and is always butting heads with this broody boy Prince Cardan. Although she doesn’t want to admit it, Jude is down bad on trying to fit in with the fey lol. While she’s navigating the high school-equivalent woes of being a human teen in a fey world, there are some political shifts happening within the Courts of Faerie that leaves Jude questioning if she wants to stay in this realm or return to the mortal world. The book definitely leaves you on a cliffhanger and with a huge wrench thrown into a relationship that we were only able to root for for like 5 mins lol. So although this wasn’t a groundbreaking plot, I’m itching to read the next book in this series!

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

REWIND IT BACK by Liz Tomforde (Windy City, #5)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: HALLIE: When I was eleven, my family moved next door to his. When I was thirteen, he was my first crush. When I was sixteen, we fell for each other. And when I was nineteen, we broke each other's hearts. Six years later, I've landed an internship with a big-name interior designer in a new city. Unfortunately, that city just so happens to be the one he plays hockey for. I thought Chicago was big enough to avoid him, until I get the surprise of a lifetime and unknowingly move in right next door. Even worse? The renovation project I'm assigned to in hopes of turning that internship into my full-time dream job… It's his house. But how am I supposed to update his bachelor pad into a family home when we can't even stand to be in the same room? I may have loved Rio DeLuca once, but I'm not that same girl anymore. | RIO: I never thought I'd be the only single one left in my friend group. But after years of trying to find love, I've concluded it may not exist for me anymore. That is, until I accidentally hire Hallie Hart to renovate my house and our jaded history has me rewinding memories I've kept secret for years. You see, there's something that my friends don't know. That connection I've been looking for since I moved to Chicago, that one person some search their entire lives to find . . . I had already found her when I was twelve years old. And now the only girl I've ever loved is moving into the house next door. Again.

My Thoughts: Eeeek! I’m making a strong statement here, but this might’ve been my favorite book of this series… Especially since I was OBSESSED with Kai and Miller’s story (Caught Up), but I don’t know. There’s just something about this second chance romance between two people who have such a beautiful and complicated history. Plus, Rio is the biggest Italian sweetheart a girl could ask for, and I freaking loved that we finally got to know his character on a deeper level in this book. Up until now, he’s been a lovesick, golden retriever-type of character amongst the Windy City friend group. However, through his perspective in this story and learning more about his life before Chicago, it’s clear he is just fiercely loyal, knows what he wants, and is not willing to settle for less. Hallie was the perfect counterpart to Rio. She comes off a little scrappy and standoffish, but this girl has been GRINDING to get where she’s landed in her career. I freaking loved the complexity of her character, and how we got to know who Hallie was in the past and why she is the way she is now. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE TENSION BETWEEN THESE TWO? It was thicc and also so freaking endearing and I could not get over their wholesome dynamics. Liz Tomforde knew she had to go hard in the paint on this last book of the series, and my friends, she did not hold back. If you haven’t dabbled in the Windy City series, I highly recommend it!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath. They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

My Thoughts: I’ve had this book on my shelf since I last visited my friend Ayse in Chicago back in 2021 - which is far too long for both the book and visiting her again lol. I think what maybe put me off from reading it is that I kept seeing it being described as a retelling of Homer’s Iliad which I’ve never read. However, I’m here to say, even if you haven’t read the Iliad, you can read this with no problem. I’m sure you recognize more characters throughout it if you have read the classic, but I just took all the Greek names in stride and treated them like they were just new characters to the story lol. This book was really beautiful though and has so many layers. It really magnified the human experience of being inexplicably in love with someone, knowing that they’re your person, and feeling that in your soul. I will say, the only reason I could not give this book a full five stars is because the plot was a slooooooow burn. It honestly didn’t pick up until later in the book, I know we had to understand both Patroclus as a character and his background with Achilies, but hot damn. That pacing felt a little dragged out. Otherwise, as I’ve said, this shit was really beautifully written and I highly recommend it.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

THE THREE LIVES OF CATE KAY by Kate Fagan

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Cate Kay knows how to craft a story. As the creator of a bestselling book trilogy that struck box office gold as a film series, she’s one of the most successful authors of her generation. The thing is, Cate Kay doesn’t really exist. She’s never attended author events or granted any interviews. Her real identity had been a closely guarded secret, until now. As a young adult, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of escaping their difficult homes and moving to California to become movie stars. But the day before their grand adventure, a tragedy shattered their dreams and Cate has been on the run ever since, taking on different names and charting a new future. But after a shocking revelation, Cate understands that returning home is the only way she’ll be a whole person again.

My Thoughts:  My rating for this book is something I feel the need to explain. Although the book itself is probably a 3.5, my experience with the audiobook was easily 4 stars. I just really looked forward to listening to it and loved that it had a full cast of narrators. So it was a breeze to get through and I enjoyed the story overall. If I take a step back from the ~vibes~ and actually pick apart everything, I’d say it was still solid. It maybe just wasn’t anything super groundbreaking lol. The story is told from multiple perspectives and told mainly in the format of a documentary. So there’s some interviews sprinkled in, sidenotes from the main character interjected, and tabloid headlines read to you. Although all of this could get overwhelming, I thought the author did a great job of making it clear whose perspective you were now listening to. I loved that there was a little bit of low stakes mystery, some romance that leaves you guessing who will end up with who, and a big question mark as to what will happen when Cate Kay returns to the hometown she ran away from almost a decade ago. If you’re looking for a book that will feel like a change of pace, is quick to get through, and has a little bit of sapphic romance in there, I highly recommend this debut novel! I’m excited to see what this author will write next!

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident; his father’s life in America was circumscribed by his work killing chickens at a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past—toward an uncle who rode through Iranian battlefields dressed as the angel of death to inspire and comfort the dying, and toward his mother, through a painting discovered in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests she may not have been who or what she seemed.

My Thoughts: I’m not sure what I expected going into this book. I didn’t read the premise before starting it which I think may have been a slight detriment to my experience. The start of this book is definitely a slow burn. It’s not that the content isn’t interesting at the beginning, I just feel like the pace made it hard to stay engaged. There were also a few times when the audiobook’s narrator didn’t change the voice of a different character all that drastically, so I was lost on which character’s perspective I was currently listening to. After a little bit of clarifying Googling though, I finally got my footing with the format and the narrator’s different voices and was much more immersed in the story lol. This story was really unique and once I understood what was happening (lol), I felt much more connected to the characters and plot. Although Cyrus had a rough go in life with his mother dying in a plane crash when he was young and his father passing away unexpectedly, with the kicker of being an addict, I also felt like he was pretty selfish? I don’t know. I realize he’s extremely depressed and has been so caught up in this martyr obsession during his sobriety, but I think what he was planning to do was based on a storyline he was telling himself vs. something that was actually real. Overall, I liked this story, but there were just a few things that made it an inconsistent audiobook experience. 

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

THE GREAT BELIEVERS by Rebecca Makkai

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In 1985, Yale Tishman, the development director for an art gallery in Chicago, is about to pull off an amazing coup, bringing in an extraordinary collection of 1920s paintings as a gift to the gallery. Yet as his career begins to flourish, the carnage of the AIDS epidemic grows around him. One by one, his friends are dying, and after his friend Nico's funeral, the virus circles closer and closer to Yale himself. Soon the only person he has left is Fiona, Nico's little sister. Thirty years later, Fiona is in Paris tracking down her estranged daughter who disappeared into a cult. While staying with an old friend, a famous photographer who documented the Chicago crisis, she finds herself finally grappling with the devastating ways AIDS affected her life and her relationship with her daughter. The two intertwining stories take us through the heartbreak of the eighties and the chaos of the modern world, as both Yale and Fiona struggle to find goodness in the midst of disaster.

My Thoughts: I had a couple of friends read this book last year and they raved about it. So I’m not sure why I decided to defer my audiobook hold in Libby so many times before borrowing it, but I’m so glad I finally did! The format switches between two main timelines and POVs. The past is told through the eyes of Yale Tishman who is a gay man living in Boystown Chicago during the build up and height of the AIDs epidemic. The present is told from the perspective of Fiona who is tracking her daughter down through Paris in 2015. She was the younger sister to one of the first men to die from the virus in Yale’s friend group and continued to be a pillar of support - literally as the power of attorney for some of them as their lives were coming to an end. I cannot express the rollercoaster of emotions this book put me through. Watching so many of these young men suffering because there’s no cure or end in sight to the AIDS epidemic was absolutely heartbreaking. However, it was also so beautiful how they rallied around each other when their friends were all they had. The storyline of Fiona looking for her daughter in Paris wasn’t AS impactful, but it kept me invested in her character arc between the 1980s and 2015. I don’t know man, I haven’t read a book that made my throat constrict like this in a while, and I highly recommend it. Not to mention, I learned SO MUCH about what the world was like when that epidemic was starting to hit the queer community and I am FLOORED it’s not talked about more. 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

THE WEDDING PEOPLE by Alison Espach

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She's immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamed of coming for years—she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.

My Thoughts: I feel like I’ve been hearing about this book everywhere lately, and I’m so glad I finally downloaded the audiobook. Phoebe is absolutely lost in her life. Her husband left her two years ago, her career has felt like it’s been idling for a while now, and she honestly isn’t sure what she’s doing anymore. Lost in a gaping abyss of “what is life?”, she books herself a room in a hotel that’s full of people there for a wedding and ends up getting incorporated in their full week of activities. I fucking loved Phoebe. She felt so real. Her heartache of a lost identity was palpable, her “I do not care what anyone thinks about me” attitude after she has a self-realization moment was so relatable, and I honestly loved how freaking smart and witty she was. All of the side characters made this story so entertaining. Like they were all SO flawed, but in the most charming ways. I laughed out loud multiple times and appreciated the endearing storylines they wove into this experience. This book does touch on some heavier topics including infertility, suicide, cheating, and more, so please check trigger warnings before jumping in, but I do recommend this book for sure!

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong… unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

My Thoughts: I’m not sure how to start this review because I felt like every time I pressed play on the audiobook, it was a different experience lol. At the start of this god sent connection between Samantha and Xavier, the only thing that was missing were some crackers because oh my god the CHEESE. I’m not an instant-love trope girl and this isn’t TECHNICALLY instant-love, but it is very quick love. As their situation gets more complicated though, I appreciated that their relationship and the romance between them became more dynamic and complex as well. This book beautifully captures the emotional weight of a long-distance relationship—not just the need for trust, but the aching I wish I could hug them right now or I miss waking up next to them every day kind of longing. It’s that vulnerable yearning in your chest for someone who feels just out of reach. I also felt like the author handled the tougher topics of this book with such care - specifically a parent going through early onset dementia and the hard decisions a family has to make that come with those devastating situations. By the end of their story, I was completely sold on the strength of the chemistry and connection between Xavier and Samantha, and wholeheartedly loved how it wrapped up. This wasn’t my favorite Abby Jimenez book by any means, but she’s a kick ass writer and I think most romance readers would enjoy this book either way. Just please check trigger warnings before diving in!

That’s it for Pride Month!

Hopefully now that I’m a little more settled and am trying to be much more judicious with how I’m spending money, most of my time will be consumed by reading on my new couch in July.

2025 Book Count: 80

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one of your favorite summer reads?

May 2025 Reads

Okay, I know I say this every month (and yes, I am working on freshening up my round-up intros), but this time I truly mean it: May was an absolute whirlwind.

If you read last month’s blog, you might remember I teased some exciting news… and now I can officially share:

I bought a condo!

This level of adulting definitely wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card, but thanks to a surprising turn of events, it just made sense to take the leap into my first-time homebuying era. It’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying, but the thought of my houseplants thriving in all the glorious, south-facing natural light AND having central A/C AND no bats? Worth it.

I just got the keys last week, so I’m still in the thick of moving everything over from my apartment. Fingers crossed I’ll be fully settled by next weekend, and in the meantime, I’m planning to power through some audiobooks while schlepping boxes like it's my latest cardio routine. (Because it is lol)

Anyway, let’s get into everything I read in May!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.  

Tale of the Heart Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

TALE OF THE HEART QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos, #4)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After Lor makes the biggest mistake of her life, she finds herself on the run from the Aurora King and decides it's time to end this, once and for all. But when a new enemy emerges to claim her freedom, the entire fate of Ouranos comes to rest on her shoulders. As the land continues to rebel, Lor must admit she is the key to saving the continent, whether she likes it or not. To fight for Nadir, she must lie, steal, and do whatever it takes to hunt down the remaining arks. Growing more and more desperate, she worries her actions are turning her into something she doesn't recognize, dooming her to repeat her grandmother's mistakes. When the Aurora King finally comes for her, Lor ventures into the Underworld's shadowy depths, where, once again, she finds herself at the heart of another deadly test. Only this time, she’s competing for everyone's future, not just a crown. The only thing Lor ever wanted was to be free, but she may soon find she was always destined for a cage.

My Thoughts: YUUUS. A badass ending to an addictive fantasy series? Hell yes! I loved how every character arc and storyline felt satisfyingly wrapped up by the time I turned the last page. The previous book left us on quite the cliffhanger, which thankfully, the author addressed almost immediately in this one. At the start, Nadir is being held hostage in Ouranos’ heaven by the very Goddess everyone worships. To get him back, Lor has to collect the artefacts of all the world’s leaders and return them to the Goddess unharmed. Along the way, she uncovers more about the relics’ history and their deep connection to the Goddess’s own existence. Meanwhile, Gabriel is on a mission to expose the imposter king of Aphelion, and that’s when we start to learn what really happened to the true king - where he’s been all these years and why everyone thought he was dead. There’s action, romance, messy politics, scheming, and just the right amount of humor woven throughout this final installment of the Artefacts of Ouranos series, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending!

Babel by R.F. Kuang

BABEL by R.F. Kuang

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. The tower and its students are the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver-working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as the arcane craft serves the Empire's quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide . . . Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

My Thoughts: Yeesh. Okay, so I had high hopes for this one. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Babel for years, and I know R.F. Kuang is an incredibly talented author. TBH tho, this just didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. First off, this is a DENSE fantasy read. You really have to pay attention to keep up with all the characters, politics, and world-building. The magic system - based on alchemy and silver bars powered by the meaning and translation of language - is a cool concept, but I felt like it wasn’t as fleshed out as I wanted. It leans heavily into linguistics and etymology, which is interesting, but it also made parts of the book feel more like reading a textbook than a novel. There are even footnotes throughout, which added context but also slowed things down a bit. Where the book really shines is in how it tackles tough themes like racism, classism, misogyny, and the horrors of colonization. Robin and his group of friends each bring a unique perspective to those issues, and their experiences are definitely meaningful. That said, I wish we got more time to really connect with those side characters on a deeper level. Especially when big things start happening later in the story, I didn’t feel as emotionally impacted as I wanted to. Overall, I can see why this book is so highly praised. It’s smart, ambitious, and it has a lot to say. But for me, it just felt like a bit of a slog to get through and didn’t quite hit emotionally the way I hoped. If you’re into dark academia, alchemy-based fantasy, and books that dig deep into language and colonial history, it might be exactly your thing. Otherwise, this one might fall a little short like it did for me.

I Think We’ve Been Here Before by Suzy Krause

I THINK WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE by Suzy Krause

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: In the same week, Marlen and Hilda’s family receives two significant pieces of news: One, Marlen has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Two, a cosmic blast is set to render humanity extinct within a matter of months. It seems the coming Christmas on their Saskatchewan farm could be everyone’s last. Preparing for the inevitable, they navigate the time they have left together. Marlen and Hilda channel their energy into improbably prophetic works of art. Hilda’s elderly father receives a longed-for visitor from his past. Hilda’s preteen nephew goes missing, and his mother refuses to believe the world is ending. All the while, Hilda’s daughter struggles to find her way home from Berlin with the help of an oddly familiar stranger. For everyone, there’s an unsettling feeling that this unprecedented reality is somehow something they all remember. As the planet holds its collective breath to see what happens next, the family—amid chaos, denial, acceptance, and hope—determines to live every moment as if it is their last. Because, well, it just might be.

My Thoughts: This was my book club’s latest pick, and the vibe was kind of like if The Measure by Nikki Erlick and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig had a baby lol. After the world learns that an unpreventable cosmic blast is about to end life as we know it, everyone is left trying to figure out how to spend their final days. The story follows seven different characters - mostly from the same family - each offering their own perspective on how to cope. Whether it’s through morbid humor, denial, avoidance, or quiet reflection, the book really makes you think about how you might respond to that kind of news. There’s also a bit of a Groundhog Day element, where characters experience intense déjà vu with certain situations or feel like they’ve met before. That said, I felt like the book was trying to juggle a lot of different themes and ideas, and because of that, none of them landed as powerfully as they could have. If you're into speculative fiction and end-of-the-world vibes, this might be up your alley. I just wasn’t totally blown away by it (pun not intended). 

Girl Serpent Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

GIRL SERPENT THORN by Melissa Bashardoust

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story. As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster.

My Thoughts: It’s a no from me, unfortunately. Objectively, this author has real talent - the writing itself is solid, and the premise had so much potential. But subjectively? It just didn’t meet my expectations. The story is inspired by Persian lore and centers around Soraya, a girl cursed with poison in her veins and any living thing that touches her bare skin dies. Despite being part of the royal family, Soraya is hidden away to protect others and herself. When she discovers there might be a way to break the curse that’s kept her isolated her whole life, she faces an impossible choice: betray her family and her realm, or stay imprisoned by fear and her own nature. At first, the book was just fine. Not bad, but not blowing me away either. But the deeper I got, the more the cracks started to show. One of my biggest issues was the lack of consistency in Soraya’s character arc. The author couldn’t seem to decide whether she should lean into her darker, braver side post-curse or remain the timid, haunted girl she’s always been. That lack of direction made it hard to connect with her. And to be honest, I didn’t love Soraya as a protagonist, but we also didn’t get to know the supporting characters well enough to really care about them either. A lot of the conflict felt like it could’ve been avoided if the royal family had just communicated better (shocker, right?). The bones of the story were strong, but it needed more depth and refinement to really land for me.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Summary: I Capture the Castle tells the story of seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain and her family, who live in not-so-genteel poverty in a ramshackle old English castle. Here she strives, over six turbulent months, to hone her writing skills. She fills three notebooks with sharply funny yet poignant entries. Her journals candidly chronicle the great changes that take place within the castle's walls and her own first descent into love. By the time she pens her final entry, she has "captured the castle"-- and the heart of the reader-- in one of literature's most enchanting entertainments.

My Thoughts: BRO, LOL. I cannot with this story. Cassandra and her sister Rose are truly the worst. Their family is completely broke, yet somehow they’re still living in this crumbling old castle like it's no big deal. Then these rich, charming brothers show up, and Cassandra and Rose are immediately like, “Oh bet, let’s court them and solve all our financial problems.” Naturally, Rose goes after the brother Cassandra likes, which sends her spiraling. EVEN THOUGH the family’s stable/errand boy, Stephen, has been nothing but sweet, loyal, and clearly head-over-heels for Cassandra from the start. He is literally right there, heart eyes and all, and she barely notices. The whole book is basically Cassandra wallowing over her sister stealing her man. Then, plot twist, Rose is actually in love with the other brother, cue an enemies-to-lovers situation. Meanwhile, poor Stephen is out here basically on his knees for Cassandra, who continues to give absolutely nothing back. Honestly, if the writing itself wasn’t so charming, I would’ve given this one star. The fact that this book is considered a classic? Wild. I repeat for emphasis though, JUSTICE FOR STEPHEN. OMG.

King of Envy by Ana Huang

KING OF ENVY by Ana Huang (Kings of Sin, #5)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Dangerous. Powerful. Reclusive. Vuk Markovic is notorious for shunning human interactions. The scarred billionaire rarely talks, and he has no interest in relationships outside his small but trusted circle. His only exception? Her. The beauty to his beast, the object of his obsession. He saw her first. He wanted her first. But now, she’s engaged to his oldest friend—and the closer the wedding looms, the more he’s torn between loyalty and desire. She should be his…and he might just risk it all to have her. | Beautiful. Successful. Glamorous. To the world, supermodel Ayana Kidane leads the perfect life. Her career has skyrocketed, and she’s engaged to one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. What people don't know is that the engagement is only a business arrangement. He gets his inheritance when they marry; she gets the money she needs to leave her abusive agency. Pretending to be in love should be easy—until she finds herself increasingly drawn to her fiancé’s enigmatic best man. Vuk thrills and terrifies her in equal measure. She knows she should stay away, but when her wedding is thrown into chaos, he’s the only person she finds comfort in… Until his past catches up with them and threatens everything they love.

My Thoughts: Ana Huang has a way of taking dark, mafia-esque romances and making them feel unexpectedly swoony - with just the right amount of fuzzy feels. Vuk is easily one of the scariest motherfuckers in this series (lol), and also one of the biggest enigmas. We’ve seen glimpses of him throughout a few of the Kings of Sin books, but up until now, all we really knew was that he’s filthy rich and barely speaks. So going into this, I was ready for his backstory. Ayana, who was introduced as a side character earlier in the series, finally gets her time to shine, and I’m so glad she did. Both she and Vuk are incredibly dynamic, each wrestling with current dilemmas that stem from past choices. Vuk is now the target of a fractured assassination ring, where whoever kills him first will be named king. On top of that, his best friend is marrying the woman he’s in love with, leaving him torn between loyalty and unresolved passion. Ayana, meanwhile, is trying to escape a toxic modeling contract by entering a marriage of convenience with her friend. But lately, she’s developed unexpected feelings for his best man, Vuk, and everything starts to get very complicated, very fast. After an unfortunate event forces their hands, the story leans into some typical tropes: forbidden romance, he-falls-first, and forced proximity. I absolutely love Ana Huang’s writing and have been hooked on this series from the start. While this wasn’t my favorite book in the lineup, it still totally hit the spot and satisfied my sweet smut tooth.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

FIRST-TIME CALLER by B.K. Borison

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, that's a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight. Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn't be such a bad thing. Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending... even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

My Thoughts: THIS SHIT WAS CUTE. I listened to it on audiobook, which honestly felt like the perfect format for a story centered around a late-night romance radio show. The premise alone had me HOOKED, but the banter between Aiden and Lucie? Absolute perfection. Their quick, clever back-and-forths had me cracking up and blushing with secondhand swoony sweats. Their chemistry alone was off the charts, and I couldn't get enough of their dynamic. What really made this story special, though, was how relatable it felt. Lucie’s experience of just wanting to find genuine love in a world of endless dating apps and exhausting options was so honest and heartfelt. And Aiden?? The way he quietly showed up for her WRECKED me. (UM HELLO? He keeps a list of her favorite things in his glove compartment?? Sir. Melt my heart, why don’t you?) Also, I usually don’t gravitate toward single-parent tropes, but this one made me question if I’ve just been reading the wrong ones. Maybe I just needed a single mom representation to change my mind. If you’re in the mood for a romance that’ll have you cheesing and kicking your feet like a love-struck idiot, this is a 10/10 must-read.

Isola by Allegra Goodman

ISOLA by Allegra Goodman

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished and abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue. Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.

My Thoughts: The fact that this is based on a true story is wild to me. This book is definitely a slow burn, and honestly, I’m not sure I would’ve made it through without the audiobook. That said, I do think it lives up to the hype. Set in the 16th century, the story follows Marguerite, an orphan whose guardian, Roberval, spends her inheritance on his expeditions for the French crown. During a forced voyage to New France, Roberval discovers Marguerite’s romance with his secretary, and as punishment, abandons her, her lover, and her loyal nursemaid on a remote island. What follows is a harrowing survival story as the three struggle to endure the brutal conditions and isolation of this unknown world. The arc of Marguerite’s character is what really pulled me in. Watching her grow from a naive, privileged girl into a resilient, resourceful woman was so satisfying. I do wish the romance had been given a little more time to build - it kind of appeared out of nowhere - but the emotional payoff still worked for me by the end. If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric, brooding survival story with historical roots, this is absolutely worth a read.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL LIE by Emily Henry

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game. One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication. Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition. But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this is the first Emily Henry book I’ve seen get more criticism than usual—but personally, I devoured it. A well-written romance with undertones of historical fiction and Julia Whelan narrating? Say less. What I really appreciated about this one is that Henry finally broke away from her usual formula. Don’t get me wrong, I love her signature approach to a love story, but this one meandered in a way that felt fresh and unexpected. The story centers around the famously reclusive heiress Margaret Ives, who is finally ready to share her life story. Alice, our main character, is one of two writers vying for the job of co-authoring Margaret’s biography. Her competition? Hayden Anderson, whose last co-authored book won a Pulitzer. No pressure though lol. They’re each given private interview time with Margaret, have to sign NDAs, and are forbidden from collaborating or sharing notes. But since they’re both stuck in the same tiny Georgia town for a month, their paths keep crossing. Their repeated run-ins are equal parts comical and brimming with sexual tension, and while both are hesitant to get involved due to the job at stake, the pull between them is undeniable. I was swooning over these two. And while we never fully know what Margaret is revealing to Hayden, it’s clear Alice is uncovering a lot about her past. I loved that this romance had extra layers to it - blending in mystery and historical fiction in a way that felt intentional and engaging. If you’re looking for a great summer read that’s full of heart and heat, this one’s a perfect pick.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Summary: When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

My Thoughts: This book is what I wished the last prequel had been. It dives into the origin story of Haymitch - Katniss and Peeta’s mentor from the original series - and finally gives him the depth and backstory he deserves. He grows up in a poor family in District 12 and is completely in love with a girl from the Covey. On Reaping Day (which also happens to be his birthday), chaos breaks out when the boy selected for the Quarter Quell is killed trying to escape. Haymitch’s girlfriend gets caught in the crossfire, and as he tries to save her, he ends up being punished by becoming the replacement tribute. Cue the usual Hunger Games horrors: Capitol parades, training, and then being thrown into an arena to fight to the death. What I appreciated about this installment was how the tributes approached the Games differently. There was a fresh strategy to it that stood out from other books in the series. It also beautifully foreshadowed the events of the Quarter Quell in Catching Fire and gave us more insight into characters like Wiress, Beadie, Mags, and others we’ve met before. There are a lot of heartbreaking moments that really help you understand why Haymitch ends up the way he does by the time we meet him in the original trilogy. Still, it was powerful to see him in his prime when he was innocent, smart, strategic, and deeply empathetic. I highly recommend reading this one, but make sure you read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes first (or just watch the movie. The adaptation is true to the storyline enough that you can skip the book if you’d rather not read it). Either way, this is a must for Hunger Games fans.

There’s Something About Mira by Sonali Dev

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MIRA by Sonali Dev

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Mira Salvi has the perfect life—a job she loves, a fiancé everyone adores, and the secure future she’s always imagined for herself. Really, she hasn’t a thing to complain about, not even when she has to go on her engagement trip to New York alone. While playing tourist in the city, Mira chances upon a lost ring, and her social media post to locate its owner goes viral. With everyone trying to claim the ring, only one person seems to want to find its owner as badly as Mira: journalist Krish Hale. Brooding and arrogant, he will do anything to get to write this story. As Krish and Mira reluctantly join forces and jump into the adventure of tracing the ring back to where it belongs, Mira begins to wonder if she is in the right place in her own life. She had to have found this ring for a reason…right? Maybe, like the owner of the lost ring, her happy ending hasn’t been written yet either.

My Thoughts: Ugh. Okay. Even though this book is rated pretty highly on Goodreads, it was honestly just fine for me. I think the biggest disconnect was that it’s marketed as a rom-com which felt misleading. Yes, there’s romance, but the story also tackles a lot of heavy themes like sexual assault, parental abuse, and homophobia. The writing itself is objectively strong, but at times I found myself stumbling through it. There were moments that just didn’t quite land for me, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the story. I did like the premise of Mira finding a ring on a NYC sidewalk and setting off to track down its owner while also, in a deeper sense, trying to find herself. Her journey to discover her own voice, especially in the context of her complicated family dynamic, was fulfilling. That said, I didn’t love how she seemed to jump from one relationship to another. It made some of her personal growth feel a little inconsequential or inconsistent. Overall, it’s a well-written book and I can understand why others have connected with it, which is why I gave it 3 stars. But I’m not sure it left enough of an impact for me to read it again or recommend it right away.

Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

AGAINST THE LOVELESS WORLD by Susan Abulhawa

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Summary: As Nahr sits, locked away in solitary confinement, she spends her days reflecting on the dramatic events that landed her in prison in a country she barely knows. Born in Kuwait in the 70s to Palestinian refugees, she dreamed of falling in love with the perfect man, raising children, and possibly opening her own beauty salon. Instead, the man she thinks she loves jilts her after a brief marriage, her family teeters on the brink of poverty, she’s forced to prostitute herself, and the US invasion of Iraq makes her a refugee, as her parents had been. After trekking through another temporary home in Jordan, she lands in Palestine, where she finally makes a home, falls in love, and her destiny unfolds under Israeli occupation.

My Thoughts: This book had been sitting on my shelf for at least two years, and honestly, I’m glad I went with the audiobook. I'm not sure I would’ve made it through a physical read. It’s powerful, raw, unfiltered, and haunting in a way that makes it hard to look away. The story shifts between the present, with Nahr imprisoned in a cell, and the past, as she reflects on the winding path that led her there. She recounts her early life in Kuwait, her time as a refugee in Jordan, and her return to her homeland of Palestine. Her story is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. Nahr endures intense physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, yet along the way, she also finds moments of strength, love, and a powerful sense of self. I learned so much about the aftermath of Kuwait’s liberation from Iraq and the long-standing, deeply rooted conflict between Israel and Palestine. The writing reads almost like a memoir wrapped in historical fiction - it’s intimate, reflective, and unapologetically honest. I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in. It’s intense, but it’s the kind of literary experience that stays with you long after it ends.

That’s it for May!

As I mentioned earlier, I’m in the midst of moving right now, so I’m not sure how much I’ll be reading until I’m fully settled at my new place, but I’m hoping to still crank through some audiobooks during this process. 

2025 Book Count: 71

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What is one of your favorite books to read during Pride Month?

April 2025 Reads

Somehow, April came and went in a blink and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out where those 30 days went.

Thankfully, spring is finally here. This time of year always fills me with a fresh sense of hope: for summer, for life in general, and for everything my winter brain had been quietly suppressing for the past several months.

One bookish highlight from the month: I had the chance to attend the Midwest Literary Walk in Chelsea, where Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures, hosted a Q&A. It was really cool hearing her talk about her writing process, the inspiration behind the story, and all the fun facts she learned about octopuses along the way. If you haven’t picked up her book yet, I highly recommend it!

Otherwise, there’s some pretty exciting news I’m not quite ready to share yet, but definitely will in next month’s reading round-up. So stay tuned!

Now, let’s dive into everything I read in April.

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

NOT ANOTHER LOVE SONG by Julie Soto

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne are both musical prodigies, but each has had very different paths to success. Xander was born into classical music royalty, while Gwen had a natural ear for music that was nurtured by a kind shop owner. After Gwen performs at his friend’s wedding, she’s mortified when she realizes Xander has no clue who she is—despite having worked together for a year at the Pops Orchestra. But she’s more furious that he arrogantly critiques her performance. When Gwen is offered the role of First Chair of the orchestra, something Xander had secretly coveted for years, their existing hostility goes up a notch. But their respect for each other's music is undeniable, and their onstage chemistry off the scale. As they begin to explore their feelings for one another, suddenly they're box office dynamite and the fragile romance that's growing between them is in danger of being crushed beneath a publicity stunt...

My Thoughts: After a March filled with non-fiction, thrillers, and a couple of chunky fantasies, the romance reader in me was STARVING, and this book ATE. It was fresh, electric, and completely unlike anything I’ve read in the genre lately. Gwen Jackson is a brilliant violinist with an unconventional background - no fancy training, just raw talent and lessons from the owner of a small local music shop. Now performing with the city orchestra, she’s doing everything by the book… until Xander Thorne enters her life. He’s a musical prodigy and the bassist of one of Gwen’s favorite bands, and from the moment they meet, everything changes. The tension between these two? Absolutely PALPABLE. Every interaction crackles, not just with words but with music. Their connection when they play together had me SCREAMING. The chemistry was unreal, and I could not get enough of watching Xander be so fuckin gone over this woman. This is easily one of the best enemies-to-lovers arcs I’ve read in a hot minute. Even if you’re not musically inclined (I’m not), the way the author conveys emotion through their performances is breathtaking. You feel the music, the longing, the passion in every scene. If you’re a music lover or just want a romance that feels totally different from the usual, this one is a must-read. I loved Julie Soto’s Forget Me Not, but I was salivating over this one. 

Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken

SILVER IN THE BONE by Alexandra Bracken

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Born without a trace of magic, Tamsin Lark is no match for the sorceresses and Hollowers who populate the magical underground of Boston. But when the only parent she’s ever known disappears without so much as a goodbye, she has no choice but to join in their cutthroat pursuit of enchanted relics to keep herself—and her brother, Cabell—alive. Ten years later, rumors are swirling that her guardian found a powerful ring from Arthurian legend just before he vanished. A run-in with her rival Emrys ignites Tamsin’s hope that the ring could free Cabell from a curse that threatens both of them. But they aren’t the only ones who covet the ring. As word spreads, greedy Hollowers start circling, and many would kill to have it for themselves. While Emrys is the last person Tamsin would choose to partner with, she needs all the help she can get to edge out her competitors in the race for the ring. Together, they dive headfirst into a vipers’ nest of dark magic, exposing a deadly secret with the power to awaken ghosts of the past and shatter her last hope of saving her brother. . . .

My Thoughts: Okay, I won’t lie. My expectations for this book weren’t super high since I grabbed it for like $4 at an Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in my hometown lol. But once I started the audiobook, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly it pulled me in. Tamsin and her brother Cabell have only ever known life as Hollowers—magical treasure hunters who retrieve powerful, often cursed artifacts hidden in ancient places. Though most Hollowers are magic-wielders, Tamsin wasn’t gifted with the Sight. Still, her guardian Nash raised her as a Hollower-in-training. Ten years after Nash mysteriously disappears, Tamsin learns he was hunting down a legendary enchanted ring tied to King Arthur lore. That discovery kicks off a dangerous race between her and her rival Emrys to find the ring—a relic that could be the key to breaking a curse threatening her and Cabelll. This book is jam packed with magical constructs—from Arthurian legends to present-day Hollowers and sorceresses—so you have to pay close attention to keep track of everyone’s role. The first third of this story had me hooked. I loved getting to know the characters, watching their dynamics unfold, and tracking the different stages of their treacherous quest. Once the group entered Avalon, though, the pacing dipped for me. There were still battle scenes, some scheming, and solid character development, but I found myself getting a little bored. Thankfully, the final third picked the pace back up with a strong dose of action and emotional turmoil—I may or may not have gotten a little misty-eyed whilst listening in the car lol. Overall, this book felt like a refreshing addition to the fantasy genre. It bounced between a 3.5 and 4-star read for me the whole way through (so let’s call it a 3.75). That ending definitely left me wanting more, and I’m excited to see what the next book brings.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

LISTEN FOR THE LIE by Amy Tintera

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: If you’re even remotely into audiobooks, do yourself a favor and listen to Listen for the Lie in that format. It is absolutely ADDICTING. Lucy hasn’t set foot in her hometown since rumors started spreading that she was the one who murdered her best friend, Savvy. The case was never solved, but now it’s being picked up by a wildly popular true crime podcast, thrusting Lucy’s name back into the spotlight. As if that wasn’t enough, her grandmother guilt-trips her into coming home for her 80th birthday celebration. Returning to Plumpton, Texas is the last thing Lucy wants, but when the podcast’s host, Ben Owens, reaches out, something shifts. Instead of avoiding the media storm, she agrees to an interview and decides it might finally be time to dig into what really happened that night. Maybe even recover the memories she’s blocked out. This story is unputdownable. The narrative seamlessly switches between Lucy’s present-day perspective, flashbacks from the past, and transcripts from Ben’s podcast episodes. The tension builds beautifully - I never knew who to trust, and the mystery surrounding Savvy’s death kept me hooked until the very end. You also get a deeper look into Lucy and Savvy’s friendship, which adds so much emotional depth. There’s also a light romantic subplot that adds just the right amount of warmth, but I won’t give away any spoilers lol. If you're a fan of true crime podcasts, twisty thrillers, or stories that will live rent-free in your brain, Listen for the Lie is an absolute must-read.

Wild Love by Elsie Silver

WILD LOVE by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend's little sister and knowing you can't have her. Forbes may have labeled Ford Grant the World's Hottest Billionaire, but all he cares about is escaping the press and opening a recording studio in gorgeous small town Rose Hill. Something that comes to a screeching halt when he ends up face-to-face with a young girl who claims he's her biological father. Now, he spends his days balancing business with parenting a sullen twelve-year-old, all while trying desperately to keep his hands the hell off his best friend's sister, Rosie Belmont. After living in the city, Rosie came blasting back into town like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed, desperate plea for a job is all it takes for Ford to hire her. He vows to keep her at arm's length. Tries to stick to scowls and grumpy one-liners. But with her, verbal sparring is a type of foreplay―friction that soon turns to blistering heat. Ford knows damn well he shouldn't cross this line. But shouldn't and can't are two very different things. And the only thing he truly can't do is resist her.

My thoughts: Elsie Silver really knows how to write a swoon-worthy country boy romance. If you've been cowboy curious but aren’t quite ready to go full YEEHAW, this book strikes the perfect Goldilocks balance. At the center of it all is Ford Grant, a billionaire music producer retreating from the spotlight to build a recording studio in the quiet, remote town of Rose Hill. He’s not exactly a grump, but he is all business and tough to crack until his world gets turned upside down. First, a 12-year-old goth girl shows up claiming to be his biological daughter. Then, Rosie Belmont, his childhood crush and the woman he’s been secretly pining for, returns to town after more than a decade away. Suddenly, Ford’s juggling a surprise daughter, his booming business, and unresolved feelings for Rosie, who’s also navigating major life changes of her own. She’s just ended a long-term relationship and is unsure of her next steps, both professionally and personally. Watching Ford and Rosie reconnect was so freaking lovely. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their opposite personalities played perfectly off each other. Rosie’s vibrant, impulsive energy against Ford’s calm, controlled demeanor makes for a compelling and often hilarious dynamic. The spice level? Muy caliente. And Ford’s emo daughter provides top-tier comedic relief throughout. If you're in the mood for a romance with small-town charm, emotional depth, and just a touch of cowboy flavor, this book is a perfect pick.

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver

WILD EYES by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill, #2)

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: A rugged mountain town seemed like the perfect escape from a life in shambles. But on day one I ran full tilt into the world’s hottest single dad and now all my plans are ruined. As a chart-topping country singer with a recent streak of bad press, it’s hard to find any peace. But I find it in Rose Hill. With a little boy and a little girl who steal my heart just as thoroughly as their dad. Weston Belmont. The man is a shameless flirt. He oozes confidence and masculinity in a way that’s downright distracting. And in bed? He’s addictive. Everything with him is wild and impulsive and I’m desperate to regain some control. But no one has supported me like West does. And no one has ever made me feel as loved as he does either. So, while my brain says settling down with a small-town horse trainer is impossible… my heart says I’m right where I belong. Still, my life as a celebrity haunts me. It has the power to pull us apart. I can see in his eyes that wants me to stay. And I want that too. But I know better than anyone that we don’t always get what we want.

My Thoughts: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m picky about the single-dad trope. It can either be heart-melting perfection or way too cheesy. This book landed somewhere in between, but in the best way possible. Weston Belmont is the golden retriever of the series. He’s always smiling, endlessly energetic, and beloved by everyone in town. So when country pop star Skylar Stone escapes her high-profile life and ends up in the quiet town of Rose Hill, it’s no surprise that Weston is the first person she meets. While Weston has his own inner struggles, the heart of this story really belongs to Skylar. Having grown up in the spotlight, she’s never had the space to figure out who she is outside of her fame. This book is as much about her self-discovery and confidence-building as it is about the romance. Weston’s two kids completely stole the show for me though. His six-year-old daughter is lovingly referred to as “feral,” and she is pure, tiny chaos in the most enjoyable way. His son, the quiet bookworm, is her complete opposite, and together they bring both sweetness and laugh-out-loud moments that balance out the emotional depth of the story. If you love a good single-dad romance or have a soft spot for horse trainers and country charm, Elsie Silver delivers big time with this one.

Wild Side by Elsie Silver

WILD SIDE by Elsie Silver (Rose Hill, #3)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: I’d always dreamed of my wedding day. But not like this. Not looking into the eyes of the man who betrayed me. But when my nephew’s guardianship is contested, I decide I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy. Rhys Dupris. A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises—ones he won’t talk about. In fact, we barely talk at all. Which would be fine, except when he’s not talking, he’s staring. And the way he looks at me is borderline indecent. The tension between us has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation. I swore I would never forgive him. But that was before I knew the man behind the mask. The one who’s fierce and protective. The one who’s gentle and patient. The one who shows up for us when we need him most. He’s not at all who I thought he was. And that makes hating my husband so much harder… and loving him just a little too easy.

My Thoughts: Okay LOL. This book was wildly unexpected in the best way and so imaginative that at times I wasn’t sure if I was fully on board with what it was doing, but in the end, it won me over. The romance between Tabby, the fiery, no-nonsense local restaurant owner, and Rhys Dupris, the broody but tender-hearted gentle giant, absolutely delivered. It features some of my favorite tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, and he-falls-first, and balances heat, humor, and heart with real vulnerability from both characters. I especially appreciated how their emotional walls came down together, making their trust feel mutual and earned instead of one person "fixing" the other. If you're in the mood for a romance that's off the beaten path (or if you happen to love WWE lol) you should definitely give this one a shot.

James by Percival Everett

JAMES by Percival Everett

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: When Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he runs away until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck has faked his own death to escape his violent father. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

My Thoughts: This book was SO clever. It’s a powerful retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s point of view. After overhearing that he’s about to be separated from his family and sold to another plantation, Jim escapes, setting off a tense and emotional journey. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, rooting for his survival and hoping he’d make it back to his loved ones. The story closely follows many of the original’s major events but strays where necessary to fully depict the brutal, dehumanizing reality of slavery - something the original, told through the lens of a naive white child, didn’t fully capture. One of the most compelling aspects was Jim’s transformation into James. Initially forced to play the ignorant fool in front of white people as a survival tactic, he gradually reveals himself as a deeply intelligent, self-possessed man and a true leader among his community. The pacing slowed for me in the final third, mostly because the direction of James’s story became a bit unclear. Still, the impact of this novel is undeniable. It’s a thought-provoking read that I highly recommend if you haven’t picked it up yet.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Even though she doesn't come from a prestigious background or have a family to support her financially or emotionally, Katarina Shaw has always known she was destined to become an Olympic skating star. When she meets Heath Rocha, a quiet, solitary orphan, the two instantly form a deep connection that makes them a formidable pair—both on the ice and in life. Clinging to skating as a way to escape their troubled lives and rewrite their futures, Kat and Heath quickly rise from promising newcomers to unstoppable champions in ice dance. Beautiful, bold, and unafraid to show their passion even on the ice, the duo wins over audiences with their electric chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. But everything comes crashing down when a shocking incident at the Sochi Olympics suddenly ends their story. As the tenth anniversary of their final performance approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public’s obsession with Kat and Heath, promising to reveal what really happened between them. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary—but she also can’t stand the idea of someone else defining her truth. So, after a decade of silence, she decides to tell her side of the story—from the childhood tragedies that forged her all-consuming bond with Heath, to the conflicts and misunderstandings that eventually drove them apart. What are we willing to sacrifice in pursuit of a dream?

My Thoughts: Two words: THE DRAMA. I did not expect this much suspense from a romance centered on ice dancers—and I was hooked. Listening to the audiobook was absolutely the right call; the format felt like a true-crime documentary unfolding in real time, with the careers and personal lives of Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha at the center. Told through a mix of interviews with people who witnessed the chaos firsthand and flashbacks from both Katarina’s and Heath’s POVs, the story slowly reveals how this unbeatable duo fell apart, became estranged, then came back together years later. I was so invested, even though, honestly, none of the characters are particularly likable. That’s why the writing was so freaking good though. The author leans fully into the drama without turning these very flawed young people into flat-out villains. Their messy, self-sabotaging choices are frustrating, but you still keep wanting more. There are a couple of absolute PEARL CLUTCHING moments, but by the end, they make sense. If you're looking for a book packed with twists, emotional tension, and just enough softness to balance the angst, this is it. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but I’m so glad I picked it up.

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

A HISTORY OF WILD PLACES by Shea Ernshaw

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Travis Wren has an unusual talent for locating missing people. Hired by families as a last resort, he requires only a single object to find the person who has vanished. When he takes on the case of Maggie St. James—a well-known author of dark, macabre children’s books—he’s led to a place many believed to be only a legend. Called "Pastoral," this reclusive community was founded in the 1970s by like-minded people searching for a simpler way of life. By all accounts, the commune shouldn’t exist anymore and soon after Travis stumbles upon it… he disappears. Just like Maggie St. James. Years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’s abandoned truck beyond the border of the community. No one is allowed in or out, not when there’s a risk of bringing a disease—rot—into Pastoral. Unraveling the mystery of what happened reveals secrets that Theo, his wife, Calla, and her sister, Bee, keep from one another. Secrets that prove their perfect, isolated world isn’t as safe as they believed—and that darkness takes many forms.

My Thoughts: This book has been sitting on my shelf for a while and I finally decided to grab the audiobook on Libby. It did not go the way I expected it to. At first, I thought it’d follow this famous investigator, Travis Wren, as he looks for a missing woman named Maggie St. James. His search leads him to a remote community called Pastoral. The reclusive co-op has become somewhat of an urban legend to the locals over the years since it was originally settled by some hippies in the 1970s. The book then switches the POVs of three characters, Theo, Calla, and Bee two years later. Theo is curious as to what’s outside of Pastoral. Calla is terrified to cross the border of Pastoral and catch “the pox,” and Bee has a dark secret she’s had to keep for years from the entire community. I can’t say I wasn’t hooked on the big mystery of where Maggie St. James and Travis Wren went after they entered Pastoral. The plot twist hit like 0.2 seconds after I realized what it was going to be, but I loved that there was still so much more to explore before the book came to an end. If you like mysteries, but not necessarily thrillers, this would be a great book. It does have a couple of gross scenes, but nothing that will haunt your dreams or anything lol. 

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

GOOD MATERIAL by DOLLY ALDERTON

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Andy loves Jen. Jen loved Andy. And he can't work out why she stopped. Now he is. . . Without a home. Waiting for his stand-up career to take off. Wondering why everyone else around him seems to have grown up while he wasn't looking. Set adrift on the sea of heartbreak, Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of his ruined relationship. Because if he can find the answer to that, then maybe Jen can find her way back to him. But Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend's side of the story…

My Thoughts: Let me just say, I both loved and loathed this book (in the best way possible). If you’re curious about what it feels like to be trapped inside the spiraling mind of a 35-year-old man post-breakup, this is the book for you. Andy is absolutely lost after Jen, the woman he’s loved for two years, abruptly ends their relationship. He’s grieving not only the relationship itself, but also the future he imagined with her. And though he doesn’t fully understand what triggered the breakup, he clings to the hope that the door isn’t fully closed. Y’ALL. Andy’s spiral is both hilarious and painfully relatable. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments born from his desperation and chaos as he tries to rebuild his life. Major kudos to the author for taking us on this emotional ride without ever villainizing Jen. In fact, the final section from Jen’s perspective is so important because it reframes the story, showing that neither character is perfect, but also that no one is necessarily at fault. This book offers some phenomenal commentary: how many men don’t have healthy outlets for their emotions, the flawed belief that women must be unhappy unless they’re in a relationship, and the misguided expectation that all women want a family. Even though I gave it 3 stars, that rating doesn’t reflect a lack of depth or quality, just that the characters are intentionally unlikable, which can be a lot. But if you enjoy British humor, emotional messiness, and character-driven narratives, definitely give this one a try.

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli

TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos #1)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart. Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she's endured. When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she'll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge. But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is removed from the competition, permanently. Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she'll be returned to the evil—and now vengeful—Aurora King.

My Thoughts: This book felt like The Selection and Throne of Glass had a love child — with a healthy dash of smut thrown in for good measure. Lor was thrown into the toughest prison on the continent of Ouranos by the Aurora King when she was just a child. After enduring twelve years of torment, starvation, and abuse, she’s unexpectedly “released” to compete in the Trials of the Sun Queen, hosted by Aphelion’s Sun King. As the only human competing against nine Fae women, Lor faces impossible odds at every turn. She’s one of the scrappiest and most resilient characters I’ve read in a while — brash, sure, but honestly, that’s exactly the attitude needed to survive the trials and rescue her siblings still trapped in Aurora. After spending most of her life behind bars, it’s no surprise Lor doesn’t trust easily. And as more secrets come to light about the real reason the Sun King wants her to compete, it becomes clear that keeping people at arm’s length might just save her life. This book was such an easy, bingeable read without sacrificing quality. The magic system isn’t overly complicated, the stakes are clear from the start, and the author smartly weaves in different character POVs to give a broader view of what’s happening across Ouranos beyond just the Sun Trials. Was this book perfect? No. Was it everything I needed it to be? Absolutely.

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli

RULE OF THE AURORA KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos, #2)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: “I am not his conquest. I am not his to claim. I am my own castle.” Freed from the golden clutches of the Sun King, Lor now finds herself in the hands of Nadir, the Aurora Prince. Convinced she’s hiding something, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make her talk. But Lor knows the value of secrets—she’s been keeping them her entire life—and she’s not letting hers go without a fight. When Lor and Nadir team up to search for a lost item that holds the key to her past and her future, she isn’t sure she can trust him. All she knows is she won’t fall for another royal fae’s promises again. With the Sun King determined to reclaim her, Lor must keep on the move, but nowhere is safe. Not until she destroys him and the Aurora King. But she soon learns that the future of Ouranos depends on much more than avenging her shattered legacy. 

My Thoughts: Okay, yaaaass!! We love when the second book in a series holds its own instead of just feeling like a fluffy bridge between books one and three. Now that Lor is out of the Sun King's grasp, she finds herself back in Aurora — this time under the watchful eye of Prince Nadir. He's determined to figure out why she’s so valuable to both his father (whom he loathes) and the Sun King, while Lor is just trying to keep her past under wraps because #trustissues. Even though they butt heads like nobody’s business, it quickly becomes clear they’ll have to work together to find something Lor needs to unlock her magic. I absolutely loved the tension simmering between these two — it was visceral in every interaction. Plus, with the story mainly split between Lor’s and Nadir’s POVs, we got a much deeper look into Nadir’s character, which made their dynamic even better. We also get a few chapters from the perspective of the legendary Heart Queen, shedding light on how the world of Ouranos was shaken and what really happened before its magic disappeared for half a century. Overall, this was such a strong second installment, and I cannot wait to dive into the third book!

Fate of the Sun King by Nisha J. Tuli

FATE OF THE SUN KING by Nisha J. Tuli (Artefacts of Ouranos, #3)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: With the Heart Crown now in her possession, Lor must navigate the dangers of being an heir on the run, knowing more than one power-hungry ruler is after her blood. When she returns to Aphelion to unlock her magic and recover her family's legacy, it becomes clearer than ever that all that’s gold doesn’t sparkle. No stranger to battles, she continues to fight her attraction to the Aurora Prince, understanding this might be the one she finally loses. As the past mixes with the present, Lor uncovers the truth about the Artefacts and their role in shaping her destiny. Now, her future hangs in the balance, leaving her closer than ever to getting everything she's ever wanted... or losing it all forever.

My Thoughts: Y’all. I FLEW through this book. Now that Lor has managed to unlock her magic a little bit and find the Crown of Heart, it’s finally time for her to take back the kingdom and legacy that rightfully belong to her. With the help of a motley crew made up of her siblings, the Prince and Princess of Aurora, and a few others, Lor starts to see the bigger picture of what’s truly at stake when it comes to reclaiming her throne and her future. While trying to stay under the radar of both the Sun King and the King of Aurora, the group works to uncover who knew about Lor’s existence, why it feels like every High Fae royal is trying to use her, and the deeper truths behind each kingdom’s artefacts. Not to spoil anything, but the author finally gave us the payoff we’ve been waiting for since book one, and it was so satisfying. I absolutely loved seeing a softer side of Lor in this book, and the character development across the board was fantastic — even a character I was convinced I didn’t like made a redemption arc that completely won me over. And THE ENDING?? I cannot believe the author had the audacity to leave us hanging like that. Obviously, I’ll be diving straight into the final book.

Alex & Eliza by Melissa de la Cruz

ALEX & ELIZA by Melissa de la Cruz

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Summary: 1777. Albany, New York. As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball. Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

My Thoughts: Okay, it’s not that this book was bad or poorly written — I just found myself getting really bored and zoning out more than once. It might’ve been a victim of my mood reading, because a low-stakes, Revolutionary War romance just wasn’t hitting for me right now. I’m pretty sure if I had picked it up during one of those phases where I’m obsessed with 1700s -1800s romances, I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more. The story basically follows Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler circling each other for years. While they both start developing feelings, Alexander comes from nothing and has no fortune, making him a less-than-ideal match — especially once Eliza’s family falls into poverty after events during the Revolutionary War. To no one’s surprise though, love obviously prevails, and despite his lack of money, Eliza chooses him anyway. Overall, this would be a great introduction to romances in that era for anyone new to the genre or looking for a PG-rated love story. Otherwise, for me, it’s probably not a book I’ll remember a few months from now.

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation. Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions for becoming “lion women.” But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives. Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences.

My Thoughts: This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. Spanning from the 1950s through several decades, it follows the lives of Ellie Soltani and Homa Roozbeh - two girls from very different backgrounds who become fast friends at age seven, after Ellie and her mother are forced to move to Homa’s neighborhood following the death of Ellie’s father. Though the girls are inseparable for a few years, their lives begin to diverge when Ellie and her mother return to the wealthier part of Tehran to live with her uncle. This cycle of connection and separation continues as their lives unfold against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The novel explores a wide range of themes including classism, feminism, political activism, immigration, and more, through deeply personal and emotional storytelling. While the book is primarily told through Ellie’s perspective, I was glad we also got chapters from Homa’s point of view because it added much more depth to both characters. Personally, I found myself connecting more with Homa, but her perspective also made it clear why Ellie would remain such an important person in her life. Beyond the story of friendship and identity, I learned SO much about Iran’s political history, from the unrest that mirrored the West’s “Red Scare” to the rise of the country’s current oppressive regime. This was one of the most powerful coming-of-age stories I’ve ever read, and I truly can’t recommend it enough.

The Circus Train by Amita Parikh

THE CIRCUS TRAIN by Amita Parikh

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite her father's overprotection and the limits her world places on her because she is disabled. Her unconventional life takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past. Over several years, as their friendship flourishes and Alexandre trains as the illusionist's apprentice, World War II escalates around them. When Theo and Alexandre are contracted to work and perform in a model town for Jews set up by the Nazis, Lena becomes separated from everything she knows. Forced to make her own way, Lena must confront her doubts and dare to believe in the impossible--herself.

My Thoughts: I am genuinely mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book. It sat untouched on my shelf for years and how dare I neglect it like that? This story was magical, addictive, and so thoughtfully crafted. We follow three main characters: Theo, a world-renowned illusionist who travels with the World of Wonders circus; Lena, his brilliant, fiercely driven daughter; and Alexandre, an orphan who stumbles upon the circus after losing his parents and quickly forms a bond with Lena. I loved that the narrative is split between their POVs, giving us a deeper understanding of each character’s emotions, motivations, and personal growth. Set against the backdrop of WWII Europe, the story carries a constant undercurrent of tension and chaos that kept me on edge. The character arcs are phenomenal, with flawed, dynamic, and deeply human choices. Lena had me gritting my teeth at times, but the emotional payoff and depth of the story more than made up for it. If you loved The Night Circus or Water for Elephants, this book is 100% for you. The circus setting is enchanting and immersive, and you can’t help but root for each of these characters as they try to navigate a world full of uncertainty.

That’s it for April! I can’t wait to share my big news with y’all next month, but in the meantime, catch me knee deep in an audiobook or walking my happy ass around a golf course somewhere lol. 

2025 Book Count: 59

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book in April?

March 2025 Reads

Did March last five years for anyone else?

Despite feeling like the longest month ever, my reading pace slowed down a lot. Part of that was because I was eye-ball reading a nonfiction book—those always take me forever. But honestly, I was just focused on other things this month.

For one, I’m considering entering the homebuyer market, which is… mildly terrifying lol. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: In this economy?? Yes. I’m hoping it’s a smart financial move, but we’ll see how this adulting adventure unfolds. I’ll report back!

On the sports front, my March Madness bracket went up in flames on day one thanks to Clemson losing by two points (lol, love that for me). But on a brighter note, I finally made it to my first Pistons game! I’d seen every other Detroit pro team play, so this had been on my bucket list for a hot minute—shoutout to Steph for coming with me!

Pistons Game!

I think that’s it for my March updates— let’s talk books!

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

REBEL WITCH by Kristen Ciccarelli (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A WITCH... Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish. A WITCH HUNTER... Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters. AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE... When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

My Thoughts: Did I just eyeball read this book in February? Yes. Did I proceed to listen to the audiobook two weeks later? Also, yes lol. Honestly, no notes. You can read my review about it from last month here. This book is 10/10 for me and I am still so sad that it’s the end of the Crimson Moth duology. Best believe I’m keeping an eye out for any and all future books from KC now though! As I said in my review about the audiobook for Heartless Hunter, the narrator put her whole heart into this book and did it nothing but justice. You honestly can’t go wrong with whatever format you decide to read this in and I probably will not shut up about it for a while lol. 

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams? As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears. Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere. What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex. In short, it's about everything.

My Thoughts: I only recently realized this book is considered a classic—and a children’s book at that. I remember watching the movie in after-school care in elementary (shoutout to Extended Day kids), but I hadn’t revisited the story since. Controversial take: the audiobook is better than the movie. Rob Reiner pours his whole fuckin heart into the narration, making the three-hour experience an absolute delight. The book is utterly ridiculous, a masterclass in satire with sharp wit, plenty of humor, and just the right amount of heart and romance. If you haven’t read it in a while or listened to the audiobook yet, I can’t recommend Reiner’s version enough!

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE: A THERAPIST, HER THERAPIST, AND OUR LIVES REVEALED by Lori Gottlieb

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: One day, Lori Gottlieb is a therapist who helps patients in her Los Angeles practice. The next, a crisis causes her world to come crashing down. Enter Wendell, the quirky but seasoned therapist in whose office she suddenly lands. With his balding head, cardigan, and khakis, he seems to have come straight from Therapist Central Casting. Yet he will turn out to be anything but. As Gottlieb explores the inner chambers of her patients' lives -- a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with a terminal illness, a senior citizen threatening to end her life on her birthday if nothing gets better, and a twenty-something who can't stop hooking up with the wrong guys -- she finds that the questions they are struggling with are the very ones she is now bringing to Wendell. With startling wisdom and humor, Gottlieb invites us into her world as both clinician and patient, examining the truths and fictions we tell ourselves and others as we teeter on the tightrope between love and desire, meaning and mortality, guilt and redemption, terror and courage, hope and change.

My Thoughts: I may be late to this book, but I’m so glad I finally picked it up. It reads like fiction, with well-developed characters and an engaging, immersive plot—I had to keep reminding myself it’s nonfiction. This book explores what it means to be human, diving into the complexities of our emotions, both conscious and unconscious. I loved how the format alternates between therapy sessions with her three clients and the author’s own experiences in therapy. Each person’s struggles and breakthroughs felt incredibly relatable. While I wished for a bit more resolution in the author’s personal story, her vulnerability throughout was truly admirable. She shares so many insightful, highlight-worthy moments from both sides of the therapy room. The pacing slowed a bit in the middle, which is why I’m docking a half star, but the mix of laughter, tears, and raw honesty made it well worth the read. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I definitely recommend it!

Educated by Tara Westover

EDUCATED by Tara Westover (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard. Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent. Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.

My Thoughts: I first read this memoir during the 2020 lockdowns and even then I remember being FLOORED by Tara Westover’s story. I knew about the hyper-religious, anti-government communities out west, but this was my first detailed glimpse into what life within them is truly like. The jaw-dropping effect of this book has held true my second read through. Revisiting it on audiobook - read by Julia Whelan - gave the memoir an almost fictional quality which made the shocking stories even more immersive. It still blows my mind that Tara and some of her siblings managed to escape such a challenging and abusive upbringing. If you haven’t read this memoir yet, I can confidently say you are missing out. 

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK by Emiko Jean

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life is turned upside down when she gets the call Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state—but Ellie’s reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers. 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.

My Thoughts: This book was dark, clever, and thoroughly gripping. What begins as a missing person case quickly unfolds into a multi-layered psychological thriller. The story shifts between multiple POVs and timelines, following Ellie Black—the abducted teen who returns forever changed—and Chelsey, the detective still haunted by her own sister’s disappearance. Some scenes are tough to stomach, as the emotional weight of Ellie’s trauma is palpable. After enduring captivity, she’s no longer the girl she once was—her identity is reshaped by survival, making her return home even more disorienting. This book doesn’t shy away from its darkness, but if you’re looking for a psychological thriller with unexpected turns and real emotional depth, it’s worth the read.

All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi

ALL THIS TWISTED GLORY by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom #3)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: As the long-lost heir to the Jinn throne, Alizeh has finally found her people—and she might’ve found her crown. Cyrus, the mercurial ruler of Tulan, has offered her his kingdom in a twisted exchange: one that would begin with their marriage and end with his murder. Cyrus’s dark reputation precedes him; all the world knows of his blood-soaked past. Killing him should be easy—and accepting his offer might be the only way to fulfill her destiny and save her people. But the more Alizeh learns of him, the more she questions whether the terrible stories about him are true. Ensnared by secrets, Cyrus has ached for Alizeh since she first appeared in his dreams many months ago. Now that he knows those visions were planted by the devil, he can hardly bear to look at her—much less endure her company. But despite their best efforts to despise each other, Alizeh and Cyrus are drawn together over and over with an all-consuming thirst that threatens to destroy them both. Meanwhile, Prince Kamran has arrived in Tulan, ready to exact revenge. . . .

My Thoughts: LMAO, y’all—this book was more of the same as the second. Lots of telling, not much showing, but the vibes? Immaculate. Cyrus remains utterly gone for Alizeh, yearning for her on a visceral level. While she spends about a quarter of the book in a coma, I loved watching her perspective on him shift as she peels back the layers of his complicated character. We finally uncover the truth about his father’s rumored murder and why Cyrus defies every royal stereotype. Meanwhile, Prince Kamran and his ragtag crew have arrived in Tulan, determined to rescue Alizeh. But when their mission takes an unexpected turn, they’re forced to stay at their enemy’s palace much longer than planned. The growing tension between Kamran and Huda tho? Absolutely palpable—I cannot wait to see where that goes. This book didn’t blow me away, yet somehow, I need the next one ASAP.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Gillian McAllister

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: 13 hours, 5 minutes. It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla’s life is about to change forever. After months of maternity leave, she will drop her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Finally. But, when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note. Then it starts. Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London. The police arrive, and tell her Luke is involved. But he isn't a hostage. Her husband—doting father, eternal optimist—is the gunman. What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...

My Thoughts: This book was fine! It’s definitely got a unique premise that I haven’t encountered before. The story starts with an intense hostage situation that immediately pulled me in. However, the pacing started to falter a bit towards the middle which made it hard to stay invested in everything going on. While the story eventually picked up again towards the end, a mildly predictable plot twist kept it from fully regaining its original momentum for me. Overall, it’s a decent mystery/thriller, but the uneven pacing definitely holds it back from being something better. 

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

OUR INFINITE FATES by Laura Steven

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Summary: They've loved each other in a thousand lifetimes. They've killed each other in every one. Evelyn remembers all her past lives. She also remembers that in every single one, she’s been murdered before her eighteenth birthday by Arden, a supernatural being whose soul―and survival―is tethered to hers. The problem is that she’s quite fond of the life she’s in now, and her little sister needs her for bone marrow transplants in order to stay alive. If Evelyn wants to save her sister, she’ll have to: 1. Find the centuries-old devil who hunts her through each life―before they find her first. 2. Figure out why she’s being hunted and finally break their curse. 3. Try not to fall in love.

My Thoughts: Okay, as soon as I started this book, I thought it was going to be one of my favorite fantasies for this year. The author’s poetic, almost whimsical writing completely immerses you in the intricate bond between Evelyn and Arden. The story alternates between the present and multiple past timelines, following the two across different eras, countries, and lifetimes. As their pattern of rebirth unfolds, the mystery of why they must die before turning 18 slowly comes to light - which kept me trying to piece together every clue. While the plot twist was admittedly a little lackluster, the journey itself was thoroughly enjoyable and put me through an emotional wringer. If you’re looking for a quick, unconventional fantasy with a unique premise, this one should be on your radar!

Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz

DINNER FOR VAMPIRES: LIFE ON A CULT TV SHOW by Bethany Joy Lenz

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: In the early 2000s, after years of hard work and determination to breakthrough as an actor, Bethany Joy Lenz was finally cast as one of the leads on the hit drama One Tree Hill. Her career was about to take off, but her personal life was slowly beginning to unravel. What none of the show’s millions of fans knew, hidden even from her costars, was her secret double life in a cult. An only child who often had to fend for herself and always wanted a place to belong, Lenz found the safe haven she’d been searching for in a Bible study group with other Hollywood creatives. However, the group soon morphed into something more sinister—a slowly woven web of manipulation, abuse, and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family. Piece by piece, Lenz began to give away her autonomy, ultimately relocating to the Family’s Pacific Northwest compound, overseen by a domineering minister who would convince Lenz to marry one of his sons and steadily drained millions of her TV income without her knowledge. Family “minders” assigned to her on set, “Maoist struggle session”–inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with “Leadership” were just part of the tactics used to keep her loyal. Only when she became a mother did Lenz find the courage to leave and spare her child from a similar fate. After nearly a decade (and with the unlikely help of a One Tree Hill superfan), she finally managed to escape the family’s grip and begin to heal from the deep trauma that forever altered her relationship with God and her understanding of faith.

My Thoughts: Yoooo. I never watched One Tree Hill, but after reading this memoir, I definitely want to. This story is wild and a stark reminder of why hyper-religious groups can be so unsettling (and quite frankly freak me out lol). Bethany Joy Lenz, new to the L.A. scene, was looking for community when she joined a Bible study led by fellow actors. What started as a casual weekly social group slowly evolved into years of grooming, emotional and mental abuse, financial manipulation, and more—all orchestrated by a controlling religious leader. I admire Lenz for recognizing the toxicity of this cult and finding the strength to escape with her daughter. Whether or not you watched the show that made her famous, this is a gripping, eye-opening memoir that deserves more attention. Highly recommend the audiobook!

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

BLOODMARKED by Tracy Deonn (The Legendborn Cycle, #2)

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Summary: The shadows have risen, and the line is law. All Bree wanted was to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. So she infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new: A Medium. A Bloodcrafter. A Scion. But the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. And Nick, the Legendborn boy Bree fell in love with, has been kidnapped. Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, she is an unknown girl with unheard-of power, and as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected. When the Regents reveal they will do whatever it takes to hide the war, Bree and her friends must go on the run to rescue Nick themselves. But enemies are everywhere, Bree’s powers are unpredictable and dangerous, and she can’t escape her growing attraction to Selwyn, the mage sworn to protect Nick until death. If Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

My Thoughts: I first read Bloodmarked in December 2022 after finishing Legendborn earlier that year, and my one regret was not rereading the first book beforehand. So, with Oathbound releasing in March, I knew I had to revisit the first two books before diving in. After relistening to Legendborn in January, I picked up Bloodmarked’s audiobook this month—and wow. This doesn’t feel like a typical second book in a series. Where many sequels act as a bridge with minimal development, Tracy Deonn completely defies that expectation. Bloodmarked is layered, diving deep into the origins of each aether group, magical constructs, and more, all while delivering nonstop action. Bree remains one of the most stubborn yet strongest protagonists I’ve ever read, staying true to her heart despite the pressures around her. And Selwyn Kane? STILL BAE. His character growth through the chaos of this book made me love him even more. Now, I’m beyond excited to tackle Oathbound (even if it does look like it’s gonna be a thicc gal). If you haven’t read this series yet or want a refreshing take on fantasy, I highly recommend giving it a shot!

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

MODERN ROMANCE by Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: At some point, we all search for love—meeting people, dating, and hoping for a deep connection. But today’s romantic landscape is vastly different from the past. Technology has given us more options than ever, yet frustration runs high. While apps and texting have changed how we connect (and overanalyze pizza emojis), the shift in romance isn’t just about technology. Decades ago, people married young, often choosing partners from their immediate surroundings. Now, the quest for a "soul mate" extends for years, with marriage happening later than ever. In Modern Romance, comedian Aziz Ansari teams up with NYU sociologist Eric Klinenberg for a deep dive into modern dating. Through global interviews, surveys, and expert insights, they explore how love and relationships have evolved.

My Thoughts: This book may be a decade old, but it’s fascinating to see how many of the dating trends emerging in 2015 have now become the norm. Specifically online dating and the types of behaviors people tend to exhibit while looking for a partner. I appreciated the wealth of qualitative research, featuring interviews with people across generations, cultures, and genders. If you're currently navigating the dating world and feeling disheartened or uninspired, this book offers valuable perspective—reminding you that your experiences aren’t so uncommon. I’d love to see an updated edition exploring how the past decade, especially the pandemic and the polarizing political climate, has reshaped dating and relationships worldwide.

That’s it for March! Hopefully I’m feeling a little more reading inspiration going into April and cannot wait to see more sun soon!

2025 Book Count: 43

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book in March?

February 2025 Reads

I know February is most people’s least favorite month of the year. It’s usually cold, gray, and provides more precipitation than anyone wants in the form of snow, sleet, or gross rain. The latter turning the two former into sheets of slick ice or dirty mounds of slush on the sidewalk. 

Personally, though, I don’t mind February. I’m probably a little biased as it is my birth month, but it’s also the shortest and one of the last sprints of true winter. 

This year, February was the beginning of a new chapter for me professionally. I recently transitioned into a new role at a supply chain design tech company and could not be happier! It’s definitely a different speed of marketing than what I’m used to, but that means there’s so much for me to learn and I am loving it so far. 

As for my birthday, I got a new tattoo (see below) and also went roller skating with some friends because if you can’t be childish and silly at 31, then what’s the point of your 30s?? P.S. Thank you for all of the birthday wishes!

It’s a monstera leaf!

On the book front, ya girl went pretty hard in the paint for the first half of February lol. I was riding out the fantasy wave I caught in January, followed that up with some cowboy romances and then slowed down substantially towards the last two weeks of the month. Which is how I somehow got through 18 books lol. 

So with that said, let’s get into everything I read in February. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. 

All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

Rating: 4.75/5 stars

Summary: A Black sheriff. A serial killer. A small town ready to combust. Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia. In recent decades, Charon has had only two murders. After years of working as an FBI agent, Titus knows better than anyone that while his hometown might seem like a land of moonshine, cornbread, and honeysuckle, secrets always fester under the surface. Then a year to the day after Titus’s election, a school teacher is killed by a former student and the student is fatally shot by Titus’s deputies. Those festering secrets are now out in the open and ready to tear the town apart. As Titus investigates the shootings, he unearths terrible crimes and a serial killer who has been hiding in plain sight, haunting the dirt lanes and woodland clearings of Charon. With the killer’s possible connections to a local church and the town’s harrowing history weighing on him, Titus projects confidence about closing the case while concealing a painful secret from his own past. At the same time, he also has to contend with a far-right group that wants to hold a parade in celebration of the town’s Confederate history.

My Thoughts: I flew through almost this entire audiobook in one sitting thanks to a long cleaning day. Let me tell you—S.A. Cosby’s writing feels like witnessing a heated confrontation between strangers on the street. You don’t want to watch, but it’s impossible to look away. This book follows Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of a small town in Virginia. When a school shooting leaves a beloved teacher and the teenage shooter dead, an investigation begins to uncover the motive behind the attack. But what they discover is far more disturbing than they ever expected—something that will haunt them for years to come. I was completely hooked as Titus and his team worked to solve the case while trying to avoid bringing in the state police. Despite his background as a former FBI agent and the fact that he was elected sheriff by the people of Charon County, the racism running through much of the white community made his authority constantly questioned. At the same time, some members of the Black community doubted his loyalty now that he wore the badge. He’s caught in an impossible balancing act—maintaining respect and authority while upholding the law. The only reason I docked 0.25 stars is that the culprit wasn’t really introduced or hinted at in a way that allowed for any real guessing. Instead, you’re left suspecting every character who enters the story. That said, S.A. Cosby is a phenomenal writer, and this book forces you to confront some of society’s ugliest realities. Just a heads-up—the plot is really dark, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

QUICKSILVER by Callie Hart

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares… but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed herself right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed. The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home. Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details...

My Thoughts: Listen, going off of vibes alone, this book is solidly a 5-star rating for me. If I was rating it more objectively, it’d probably be more like a 4.25 because this book was nowhere near perfect, but good LORT did I enjoy the ride. Saeris lives in the poorest section of her city. She basically keeps herself and brother alive by pick-pocketing and stealing water from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs. When she steals the wrong thing from a palace guard, she’s taken to the castle where the Queen sentences her to death. While that process is underway, she accidentally opens a portal between realms that has been closed for centuries and is transported to a winterland of Fae. Although they’re figures of lore back home, Saeris figures out they are very real and are in the middle of a huge war that she ends up being their key to winning. Cue Kingfisher, the hottest, mildly unhinged Fae who her survival in this new world depends on. Y’ALL. When I tell you I could not put this book down. It had me in a mf chokehold. I LOVED how scrappy and resilient Saeris is - almost to a fault. She’s never had to depend on anyone and was not inclined to start. Kingfisher has PLENTY of demons he’s dealing with from his past in addition to a few other magically-induced issues, but by god this man is GONE for her. The tension was thicc. The plot and pacing was spot on. I also appreciated the tenets surrounding Fae and their culture paralleled what you’d find in ACOTAR or Throne of Glass. So it’s easy to follow if you’ve read those. Also, imagine how upset I was to find out that the sequel to this book won’t be published until later this year… DISTRAUGHT, I TELL YOU. Anyway, if you’re looking for an absolutely fantastic escape or something to bring you out of a book hangover from a different fantasy series, you definitely need to pick this up!

Spiral by Bal Khabra

SPIRAL by Bal Khabra (Off the Ice #2)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. With a growing fan base and too many expectations on his shoulders, he’s struggling to make his first career goal. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight. Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina with dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but her lack of popularity online leaves her at a major disadvantage for securing the lead role. When Sage finds herself with the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true by fake dating Elias, she takes her shot. Soon enough, the flimsy fake-dating rules they set in place fall away in the face of their sizzling connection. But before things spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they’re willing to take the leap together or if they'll call it quits.

My Thoughts: I read the first book in this series back in November (Collide review here) and absolutely loved it. So, of course, I preordered this one so that it’d hit my Kindle the moment it was published. This book was so freaking cute, fun, flirty, and had the perfect amount of spice. Elias Westbrook is a newer player to the professional hockey scene and the media has been following the new golden boy’s every move. With all of the pressure from them reporting that he’s an absolute player off the ice, Elias can’t seem to make any goals on it, and he cannot wait to get out of this spotlight. Sage Beaumont is an older ballerina who is still aspiring to make it big with a professional ballet company. However, she’s realizing dancers with bigger social media clout are making it farther in their career. Cue a convenient fake-dating agreement that is beneficial for both parties: Elias and Sage will act like they’re in a relationship which will put the playboy rumors to rest and boost Sage’s popularity online. Listen, this book has some of my favorite tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, he-falls-first, etc. Although I didn’t LOVE Sage’s character at first, she definitely grew on me as this romance started to build. I was an absolute SIMP for how protective and caring Elias was for her and her little brother, even when she never asked for it. In the grand world of the hockey romance subgenre, Bal Khabra knows how to write some quality characters and smut. I definitely recommend checking out this book if you haven’t already!

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

ONE DARK WINDOW by Rachel Gillig (The Shepherd King #1)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her. Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. But nothing comes for free, especially magic. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason. Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

My Thoughts: We love a gothic fantasy! This premise was so refreshing. Not that I’m not as equally obsessed with all of the fantastical storylines involving hot fae men, but I do applaud authors who can break out of that trend. In the kingdom of Blunder, there is magic controlled by a deck of Providence Cards. As legend has it, anyone who collects all twelve cards has the ability to save Blunder from a deadly encroaching mist and heal those who caught a specific fever as a child. This sickness leaves the kids touched with a different kind of magic - one not controlled by the cards. Those found with infected blood are immediately sentenced to death. Which is why most people who have been infected try to hide their infection and the magical abilities it’s blessed them with. Elspeth Spindle has been hiding her magical abilities for almost a decade. After a chance encounter reveals her secret, she’s recruited into a group of rebels who are secretly trying to collect all 12 cards behind the King’s back in order to prevent him from gaining endless power. Listen, I was absolutely hooked throughout this entire story. The world-building was simple yet vivid, the plot was fast-paced and kept me on my toes, there was a touch of romance that had me SWOONING, and don’t get me started on that MAJOR cliffhanger… I’m incredibly interested in how the next book will pan out based on how this one ended but I can’t wait to dive into it. If you’re looking for a solid high fantasy that’s a little off the beaten path, I highly recommend giving this one a read!

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johson

THE HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: 1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright. Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

My Thoughts: Where to start? This book was well written and I enjoyed it enough for the most part. The audiobook narrators were great, and I liked that the format of the story was split into three parts between two POVs. It’s the 1950s in Philadelphia and teenage Ruby is on her way to becoming the first person in her family to attend college despite her home life circumstances. That is, until a heated moment with a forbidden love interest leaves her pregnant and her dreams of becoming an optometrist in shambles. She has to decide if she wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps, keep the baby, and end up working low-paying jobs, or if she wants to give up her baby and keep pursuing that college diploma. Meanwhile in Washington DC, Eleanor is a college sophomore with the ambition of becoming a historian and archivist. When she falls for a soon-to-be doctor, she’s introduced to DC’s elite wealthy Black society. One thing the women in that world make clear: she is not welcome. This book does an exceptional job of portraying the types of discrimination and adversities that Black women, even well-educated, faced repeatedly in society. The colorism present in wealthy Black society was also a topic I don’t think I’ve come across often and thought was very interesting. Despite being empathetic to the struggles these women were facing, there was just something missing for me. It was clear how Ruby’s and Eleanor’s paths were going to cross eventually, but it wasn’t as impactful of a crossover as I was hoping for. I also felt like although some scenes touched on tenser, emotional situations, the story didn’t dive in as deep as I was expecting it to. I haven’t read this author’s other, more popular book, Yellow Wife. However, I did appreciate her writing style enough to want to read that soon too. Side note: do not sleep on the author’s note! She touches on her research for this book related to the Baby Scoop Era, limited resources for families dealing with infertility, and the dangerous situations young women faced looking for safe abortion services. 

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

REBEL WITCH by Kristen Ciccarelli (The Crimson Moth #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: A WITCH… Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches—something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish. A WITCH HUNTER… Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die—especially Rune Winters. AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE… When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. Now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

My Thoughts: THE WAY THIS BOOK HAD ME. I started it in the morning on a lowkey Saturday, realized quickly that if I wanted to be productive at all, that I needed to put it down and run some errands. (Which I somehow managed to do.) Then as soon as I got home, I settled in for about a 5-6 hour BINGE on the final book of The Crimson Moth duology. Where to even start?? The book’s format is split into three parts and bounces between Rune’s and Gideon’s POVs. Part one immediately reunites the Crimson Moth and the witch hunter on the mainland where the recently returned evil witch queen Cressida and her followers have taken refuge from the New Republic. Gideon has been dispatched to kill Rune and wreck an alliance between the crowned prince and the witches so that they can’t use the royal family’s army against the New Republic. To literally NOBODY’S surprise, Gideon chokes when it comes to actually pulling the trigger, and Rune has her own agenda outside of what Cressida has planned for her. Cue a whole mess of lying and deceiving between Rune and Gideon, neither knowing if they can trust the other and trying to suss out any alternative motives. I fucking loved this entire experience. I could not put this book down and I couldn’t have asked for better character arcs. ALSO GIDEON BE DROPPING LINES THAT MADE MY INSIDES MELT AND TOES CURL. I cannot express how much I was SWOONING over this man. Mildly proud to say I did guess one of the bigger plot twists earlier on, but did not see where this ending was going AT ALL. Needless to say, this is still one of my all time favorite fantasy duologies and you best expect me to recommend it to EVERYONE. If you read and liked Heartless Hunter, you MUST continue onto Rebel Witch. 

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

DOWN AND DUSTED by Lyla Sage (Rebel Blue Ranch #1)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules. For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?

My Thoughts: This book was super cute! I’ve heard great things about this series and since I was listening to a horror story audiobook, I figured a little cowboy romance on my Kindle would be a nice balance. I loved the premise of this book and the visuals the author provided painted such a beautiful picture of this family ranch surrounded by mountains in rural Wyoming. Emmy is the youngest of the Ryder kids and after living in Denver for the last decade, she surprises everyone by moving back home. She’s a professional barrel racer, but after a recent bad fall, she hasn’t been able to muster up the courage to get back on the horse (figuratively and literally). Luke Brooks is Emmy’s older brother’s best friend and the local bar owner. Growing up on Rebel Blue Ranch, he’s basically a part of the Ryder family. Although they used to butt heads when they were younger, Emmy and Luke quickly fall into an easy, comfortable rhythm as friends - which leads to Luke helping Emmy face her fears. As they spend more time together, this effortless connection turns into something more and the sexual tension grows THICC. I loved their dynamics and truly appreciated what the side characters added to this story, but now for the rust on my spurs lol. It just felt like there was SOMETHING missing. The pacing moves at a quicker clip which was great, but also made me wonder when we were going to get around to resolving a few obvious issues when there’s only 20% of the book left. There’s also a scene towards the end that feels kind of surface level, when its purpose is to reemphasize how strong Emmy’s and Luke’s connection is. So yeah idk. I definitely liked this book and will for sure be moving onto the next book in the series. It just didn’t have enough kick in its boots, yanno? ;)

The Changeling by Victor Lavalle

THE CHANGELING by Victor Lavalle

Rating: 2/5 stars

Summary: When Apollo Kagwa’s father disappeared, all he left his son were strange recurring dreams and a box of books stamped with the word IMPROBABILIA. Now Apollo is a father himself–and as he and his wife, Emma, are settling into their new lives as parents, exhaustion and anxiety start to take their toll. Apollo’s old dreams return and Emma begins acting odd. Irritable and disconnected from their new baby boy, at first Emma seems to be exhibiting signs of postpartum depression, but it quickly becomes clear that her troubles go even deeper. Before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act–beyond any parent’s comprehension–and vanishes, seemingly into thin air. Thus begins Apollo’s odyssey through a world he only thought he understood, to find a wife and child who are nothing like he’d imagined. His quest, which begins when he meets a mysterious stranger who claims to have information about Emma’s whereabouts, takes him to a forgotten island, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever.

My Thoughts: I reeeeally wanted to like this book. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway a few years ago and just never picked it up. However, since it’s a genre outside of my comfort zone (horror), I decided to listen to it on audiobook instead. For starters, I must admit, I had no idea where any of this book was going for basically a majority of it. A lot of it felt extremely random and disjointed. I learned later that it’s based off of changeling folklore where fairies are stealing human babies and replacing them with fairy babies. However, even knowing that didn’t really clear up the parts of this book that felt a little out of left field. In addition to the jumbled plotline, the pacing of this story was sooooo slow. It absolutely DRAGGED. I don’t know if it’s because as soon as scenes felt like they were ramping up, they ended just as abruptly or if it’s because I was getting impatient to finish the book lol. Mind you, I was listening to it at 1.5x speed, then kicked it up to 1.75x speed, and then by the time I was about 70% in, I was ready for it to be DONE. So I hate-listened to the rest of the book at 2x lol. I also never felt super connected to any of the characters - even Apollo - which did not help my attention span. Thinking back, I don’t even remember there being that much foreshadowing or like plot connection points? It also wasn’t so much a horror book as it was magical realism mixed with mystery/thriller. I don’t know. I can tell the author is a talented writer, and there is great messaging about the potential dangers of sharing too much about yourself on the internet and social media, parental anxieties, etc. The bones for a great book were there, I just don’t think this was executed as well as it could’ve been. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: Okay I 10,000% understand the hype behind this book now lol. It took a quick minute to get into it because I had to understand the format and cadence of the story before I could fully immerse myself. However, once I found my footing, everything took off at full speed. The book mainly takes place in the Adirondacks of upstate New York at a summer camp called Camp Emerson. It cycles through the POVs of different characters and on a few different timelines. So you slowly start collecting nuggets of information from every person’s perspective to try to figure out not only where 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar has disappeared to in the present day, but also what happened to her brother 14 years prior. When I tell you I was suspicious of literally every person at this camp lol. The wealthy Van Laar family that lived up on the hill above Camp Emerson were the most eyebrow raising. Especially during the flashbacks to the days when Bear Van Laar went missing. This book was full of flawed, complex characters, vivid details that brought this camp to life, and a twisty plot that had me second guessing every proclamation I made until literally the last 10%. If you’re looking for a rich people/summer camp vibe mystery that’s mixed with a dash of historical fiction, The God of the Woods is the perfect book to dive into! 

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SPACE by Emily R. Austin

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Enid is obsessed with space. She can tell you all about black holes and their ability to spaghettify you without batting an eye in fear. Her one major phobia? Bald men. But she tries to keep that one under wraps. When she’s not listening to her favorite true crime podcasts on a loop, she’s serially dating a rotation of women from dating apps. At the same time, she’s trying to forge a new relationship with her estranged half-sisters after the death of her absent father. When she unwittingly plunges into her first serious romantic entanglement, Enid starts to believe that someone is following her. As her paranoia spirals out of control, Enid must contend with her mounting suspicion that something is seriously wrong with her. Because at the end of the day there’s only one person she can’t outrun—herself.

My Thoughts: This book won’t be for everybody but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It follows half-deaf  20-something Enid throughout her day-to-day life where she listens to true crime podcasts for comfort, navigates a new relationship with her previously estranged half-sisters, impulsively serial dates via apps, tries to figure out if she’s being followed, and struggles with an irrational phobia of bald men. There was something so endearing and relatable about this book. You get to see both Enid’s interactions with the world around her but also what her internal dialogue looks like. Although it’s clear from the beginning that Enid is neurodivergent (she talks a lot about masking and copying the behaviors of others in social situations), there are so many layers to her character the deeper you get into the book. It was impossible not to empathize with her, especially in the moments of high anxiety. I don’t know if I’d consider the content as dark humor necessarily, but there are plenty of situations Enid gets herself into that added comedic relief to this story. There are also some bigger topics covered such as PTSD behavior, parent-child relationships, depression, disabilities, etc. so please check trigger warnings before starting. However, I would totally recommend adding this book to your arsenal if you like extremely relatable characters. Also, all of the fun facts about space that she shares with her mom throughout the book were just a pleasant bonus to the rest of the experience. 

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

SWIFT AND SADDLED by Lyla Sage (Rebel Blue Ranch #2)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career. When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again . . . except it turns out he’s her new boss. Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. It’s too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can’t stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada’s walls are firmly in place. Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?

My Thoughts: I have to say, I’m not usually the biggest fan of the golden retriever characters, but Wes Ryder has my heart. <3 Since he’s always been seen as the “nice guy” who can fit in anywhere, he’s having a bit of an identity crisis. He’s not sure where he fits into the dynamics of his family and wants to prove himself by creating a B&B by restoring the old farm house on Rebel Blue Ranch. That’s where Ada comes in. She’s an interior designer looking for a big break in her career and anything that will take her away from her current situation in California. Although the connection between Ada and Wes is instant, it isn’t until the next day that they realize who each other really is. I freaking loved how patient Wes was with Ada. She had much more trauma to work through than he did, but he never faltered in his feelings for her. They were also the perfect tag team for breathing new life into this dilapidated house. My only complaint about this book is that although Ada’s character arc felt complete, it didn’t feel like Wes’s inner turmoil was completely resolved. It just wasn’t addressed again, IMO. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the second book of this series and say it is definitely worth the read!

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

LOST AND LASSOED by Lyla Sage (Rebel Blue Ranch #3)

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: Teddy Andersen doesn't have a plan. She's never needed one before. She's always been more of a go with the flow type of girl, but for some reason, the flow doesn't seem to be going her way this time. Her favorite vintage suede jacket has a hole in it, her sewing machine is broken, and her best friend just got engaged. Suddenly, everything feels like it's starting to change. Teddy's used to being a leader, but now she feels like she's getting left behind, wondering if the life she lives in the small town she loves is enough for her anymore. Gus Ryder has a lot on his plate. He doesn't know what's taking care of his family's 8,000 acre ranch, or parenting his spunky six-year-old daughter, who is staying with him for the summer. Gus has always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he slips up, and he has to admit that he can't manage everything on his own. He needs help. His little sister's best friend, the woman he can't stand, is not who he had in mind. But when no one else can step in, Teddy's the only option he's got. Teddy decides to use the summer to try and figure out what she wants out of life. Gus, on the other hand, starts to worry that he'll never find what he needs. Tempers flare, tension builds, and for the first time ever, Gus and Teddy start to see each other in a different light. As new feelings start to simmer below the surface, they must decide whether or not to act on them. Can they keep things cool? Or will both of them get burned?

My Thoughts: Listen, of all of the tropes I can get behind, age-gap and single-dad are the two that I am the pickiest about. If they’re not done well and within reason, you will not get my sign off. I’m pleased to share that this book passed the test, and I was obsessed with watching Teddy and Gus slowly fall in love. Especially after watching them bicker so much in the previous two books. This was an enemies-to-lovers story through and through. Teddy is a little firecracker whose light has been feeling a little dimmer lately after the boutique she’s been working at for years shuts down, and she starts realizing the dynamics with her best friend have started to change now that Emmy is engaged. Gus is the grumpiest cowboy you will ever meet and is trying to prove that he can be everything, everywhere, all at once. However, when the co-parenting arrangement with his baby momma goes temporarily awry, his family has to intervene to say he needs help. Unfortunately for Gus, the only person available to help out with his kid this summer is his arch nemesis, Teddy. I wasn’t sure how believable this story was going to feel because there was so much animosity between these two characters. However, once their softer sides came out and they became so much more vulnerable with each other, I couldn’t imagine them with anyone else. Not to mention, Gus’s 6-year-old daughter, Riley, adds an extra shot of sunshine into the story which makes the dynamics of this trio so much more believable. The fourth book of this series comes out in the spring and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! 

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

WHEN I THINK OF YOU by Myah Ariel

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: Kaliya Wilson has paid her dues. But all the years behind the reception desk at a flashy film studio have only pushed her movie-making dreams further out of reach. That is, until a surprise reunion presents an opportunity that could make her career, or break her heart…a second time. It’s been seven years since Kaliya’s whirlwind college romance with Danny Prescott went up in flames. While her passions have stalled, his career is taking off. So when the hot shot director reappears to offer her a job on his next production, it’s a shock to the system. Working with Danny may recapture the intensity of their film school days, but trusting him again won’t come as easily. As the pair allows themselves the openness and vulnerability to entrust their deepest truths to each other, the possibility of a true connection draws ever closer. But when Hollywood politics and scandal threaten to sink the production and her career, Kaliya may have to risk everything to do what’s right—even if it means letting go of the second chance love of a lifetime.

My Thoughts: The fact that this is a debut novel is beyond impressive. The story follows Kaliya, a 26-year-old hustling to break into the film industry. For now, that means paying her dues at the reception desk of one of L.A.’s biggest studios—where she’s been stuck for years, constantly undervalued and overlooked. She’s more than ready for her big break. What she doesn’t expect is for that opportunity to come from the man who shattered her heart seven years ago. Danny Prescott is the son of one of the most legendary film directors in recent history. Now that his father has passed, he’s determined to tell the story of his parents’ extraordinary romance—a love that defied all odds in the face of racial injustice between a white man and a Black woman. But this book is so much more than just a romance. It shines a light on the discrimination people of color face in the film industry, and the relentless challenges of making it in that world. That being said, the romance? You feel it in your gut. The tension between Kaliya and Danny is palpable in every interaction. With so much left unsaid from their past, I was itching for them to finally lay it all on the table. And without giving anything away, I loved that their happily-ever-after didn’t unfold in the typical, predictable way. If you’re looking for a romance with complex characters, raw emotions, and a powerful storyline, this book is a must-read!

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM by Yaa Gyasi

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Gifty is a fifth-year candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine studying reward-seeking behavior in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. Her brother, Nana, was a gifted high school athlete who died of a heroin overdose after a knee injury left him hooked on OxyContin. Her suicidal mother is living in her bed. Gifty is determined to discover the scientific basis for the suffering she sees all around her. But even as she turns to the hard sciences to unlock the mystery of her family's loss, she finds herself hungering for her childhood faith and grappling with the evangelical church in which she was raised, whose promise of salvation remains as tantalizing as it is elusive. 

My Thoughts: I read Homegoing a few years ago and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to pick up Transcendent Kingdom. Even though I own a physical copy, I opted for the audiobook and I’m glad I did. This story took me by surprise. Religion played a much bigger role than I expected—so much so that I almost considered DNFing it. But I felt I wouldn’t be giving it a fair shot if I stopped, so I pushed through. This isn’t an uplifting story in the traditional sense, but it’s a deeply moving one. As a child, Gifty’s mother moved her and her brother, Nana, from Ghana to the U.S., settling in a white, rural town in Alabama. Religion became a cornerstone of their lives as her mother devoted herself to a Pentecostal church. The family struggles to fit in, and while Nana finds success in sports, an injury leads him to painkiller addiction, eventually resulting in his overdose. His death shatters the family—Gifty’s mother sinks into a deep depression, her father returns to Ghana to start a new life, and Gifty is left to pick up the pieces, trying to forge her own path in this so-called "land of opportunity." As an adult, Gifty is still grappling with her identity—not just as a Ghanaian-American, but as a Christian. Through her research at Stanford, she searches for answers, both scientific and personal, while also attempting to reconnect with her mother, who continues to battle grief and suicidal thoughts. This book is deeply poignant and thought-provoking. If you’re open to exploring themes of faith, loss, and identity, you’ll likely find it incredibly impactful. But if heavy religious themes aren’t your thing, this may not be the right read for you.

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In the small mountain town of Jasper, North Carolina, June Farrow is waiting for fate to find her. The Farrow women are known for their thriving flower farm—and the mysterious curse that has plagued their family line. The whole town remembers the madness that led to Susanna Farrow’s disappearance, leaving June to be raised by her grandmother and haunted by rumors. It’s been a year since June started seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Faint wind chimes, a voice calling her name, and a mysterious door appearing out of nowhere—the signs of what June always knew was coming. But June is determined to end the curse once and for all, even if she must sacrifice finding love and having a family of her own. After her grandmother’s death, June discovers a series of cryptic clues regarding her mother’s decades-old disappearance, except they only lead to more questions. But could the door she once assumed was a hallucination be the answer she’s been searching for? The next time it appears, June realizes she can touch it and walk past the threshold. And when she does, she embarks on a journey that will not only change both the past and the future, but also uncover the lingering mysteries of her small town and entangle her heart in an epic star-crossed love.

My Thoughts: I tried to read this book at least three times, but the small print kept throwing me off, so I kept putting it down. Recently, though, I’ve been reading more physical books, and I think my eyes have finally adjusted—because this time, I was able to dive in without a hitch. The vibe of this book is a mix between The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Weyward by Emilia Hart. In Jasper, NC, the Farrow women are known for two things: their thriving flower farm and the mysterious curse that haunts them. June, raised by her grandmother, has always heard the rumors about her family and the madness that plagues its women. When she starts experiencing strange visions and voices, she fears the curse is catching up to her. Then, a year later, her grandmother dies—leaving behind more questions than answers. But just days after her passing, a letter arrives, revealing secrets about the curse and giving June a rare chance to break the cycle. This book was an absolute page-turner. With overlapping timelines, high-stakes choices, and small clues leading June closer to breaking the curse, I couldn’t put it down. And that final plot twist? I never saw it coming—I was floored by how well the author wove everything together. While it’s not exactly groundbreaking, I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a book that’s not full-fledged fantasy but still has strong female leads and a touch of magical realism, this one’s worth picking up!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—navigate love, loss, and personal growth during the American Civil War. Raised by their strong and compassionate mother, Marmee, while their father is away serving as a chaplain, the sisters experience the challenges of womanhood, societal expectations, and their own dreams. Each sister has a distinct personality: Meg, the responsible and traditional eldest; Jo, the ambitious and rebellious writer; Beth, the gentle and selfless musician; and Amy, the artistic and sometimes vain youngest. Their close-knit family faces financial struggles, heartbreak, and personal triumphs, all while staying grounded in their love for each other. As the years pass, the sisters forge their own paths—Jo pursues a literary career, Meg embraces domestic life, Amy chases artistic success, and Beth’s quiet strength deeply impacts them all.

My Thoughts: Admittedly, the only interaction I’d had with Little Women in my life is seeing the 2019 adaptation in theaters because I am an absolute SIMP for any movie Saiorse Ronan is in lol. Although I had made it a goal a couple of years ago to integrate more classics into my reading list every year, last year I didn’t read any. So we’re going to try to incorporate more in 2025, starting with LW. I went the audiobook route and it was an absolute delight! It’s a sweet coming-of-age story following the four March sisters. Each one is so different, and yet they all just kind of make sense as a whole. It felt like Jo’s and Amy’s characters were a little more fleshed out than Beth and Meg, but I still appreciated the role the latter sisters played in the overall story. The format of the book is interesting as well. I’d say the first half is entirely character driven as you get to know not only the March sisters, but those in their close orbit as well such as Laurie, Laurie’s grandfather, Hannah, etc. Then the story jumps about 3-5 years into the future between the first and second half. Once we get into part two, a plot slowly starts to form. I’m sure this isn’t a new book to anyone, but if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. The writing read much more modern than I was expecting and it was just all around such a pleasant experience lol. 

Poverty, By America by Matthew Demond

POVERTY, BY AMERICA by Matthew Desmond

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages? In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow.

My Thoughts: Wow—this book was a total mic drop. If Evicted by Matthew Desmond left my jaw on the floor, this one had it plunging straight into Middle-earth. Everyone should read this. It’s not a long book, but the insights are so eye-opening that the impact is huge. As usual with nonfiction, I went with the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did. The narrator’s delivery is both conversational and powerful, making the data-heavy content easier to digest. Compared to other countries, it’s clear that poverty in America isn’t just an unfortunate reality—it’s almost systematically designed. What I really appreciated about this book is that it doesn’t just blame the obvious culprits (the wealthy); it also examines how the middle class plays a role, especially in resisting changes that could genuinely help those most affected by poverty. With our current administration being completely unhinged, this book should be required reading. It left me absolutely floored, reflecting on just how much we’ve failed this nation’s poor. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

THE HEAVEN & EARTH GROCERY STORE by James McBride

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new housing development, the last thing they expected to uncover was a human skeleton. Who the skeleton was and how it got buried there were just two of the long-held secrets that had been kept for decades by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side, sharing ambitions and sorrows. Chicken Hill was where Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived when Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, which served the neighborhood's quirky collection of blacks and European immigrants, helped by her husband, Moshe, a Romanian-born theater owner who integrated the town's first dance hall. When the state came looking for a deaf black child, claiming that the boy needed to be institutionalized, Chicken Hill's residents—roused by Chona's kindness and the courage of a local black worker named Nate Timblin—banded together to keep the boy safe.

My Thoughts: I absolutely loved this book! I went in knowing nothing about it, but after seeing it everywhere, I decided to dive in—and I’m so glad I did. If you enjoy audiobooks, this one is a must. The narrator’s performance is pure art—he flawlessly delivers different accents, dialects, and even reads dialogue in multiple languages, making the experience incredibly immersive. The book’s structure is complex, and the first part may feel a bit aimless at first, but that’s because it’s so deeply character-driven. And trust me—there are a lot of characters. What impressed me most about the author’s writing is how distinct and well-developed each one feels. Every character plays a unique role in the tight-knit Chicken Hill community, making it easy to keep track of who’s who. The story begins with a Jewish couple, Moshe and Chona Ludlow. Moshe, a Romanian-born theater owner, and Chona, the outspoken owner of the Heaven & Earth grocery store, live in a predominantly Black and Jewish neighborhood. Chona is a bold, unconventional woman who often clashes with the local white Christian community that looks down on Chicken Hill’s residents. But her unwavering dedication to those she cares about earns her fierce loyalty from her neighbors. Things take a dramatic turn when word spreads that the state is searching for an orphaned deaf Black boy, Dodo, to place in a “special school.” Under Chona’s leadership, the community comes together to hide him for months—until tragedy strikes, leading to his capture. Now institutionalized, it’s up to the people of Chicken Hill to figure out a way to break him out. Y’all. This book is so compelling. It tackles heavy themes like racism, religious discrimination, and ableism, yet still manages to weave in humor and hope. If you’re looking for an unconventional historical fiction novel that will make you laugh and cry, I highly recommend this one!

That’s it for February!

I have a feeling I’m going to be reading a little bit slower in March because most of my weekends are already jam-packed with various plans. However, I have my eye on a few books already, so I’m sure by this time next month I’ll have some decent recs for y’all. 

2025 Book Count: 32

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What’s a book that’s been on your radar lately?

January 2025 Reads

January. January. January.

Somehow you manage to make one month feel like a full year lol. 

Given everything happening in the world right now, it’s probably no surprise that my go-to escape this month was reading. Not that I totally disassociated from knowing the main headlines every day, but based on the chaotic nature of the atrocious man leading our country right now, it was always a toss up as to what I was muttering “what the actual fuck?” about while I sipped my morning coffee. 

So I had a tendency to go immediately from NPR’s Up First Podcast to an audiobook everyday for a little bit of fictional reprieve. 

With so many series releasing new installments in the coming months, I mainly stuck to fantasy/romantasy, but I also squeezed in a few historical fiction reads and one mystery thriller.  

ALSO, I finally signed up for Storygraph! It’s a Black woman-owned platform that not only helps you track your reading, but gives you some solid insights and data related to the books you’ve been reading. (See a couple of examples below for my January reading!)

Storygraph Stats for January 2025

You have to do some manual entry to find the correct book format and what not, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far and recommend you check it out!

Anyway, let’s get into everything I read in January.

**All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

My Thoughts: It is absolutely BONKERS to me that this book is a debut novel. It is so beautifully written and really explores the human connection in a way that reminds me of Fredrik Backman’s style - where everyone’s lives end up perfectly intertwined. This book primarily follows two characters: Tova, a retired widow who works the night shift as a cleaning lady at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, and Cameron Cassmore, a bit of a burnout who blames everything that goes wrong in life on anything but his own actions. While working at the aquarium, Tova forms an unlikely friendship with a wily octopus named Marcellus, who manages to escape his tank every night. Meanwhile, after losing his job, Cameron decides to track down the father he’s never met and ends up in Sowell Bay, living in an RV parked in the driveway of the local grocer’s house. The book mainly switches POVs between Tova and Cameron, but you also get brief chapters from Marcellus’s perspective as he watches these two navigate their current season of life. He sees the obvious connection between them long before they do. This book was so freaking endearing and I totally get the hype behind it. Not to mention, Marin Ireland is the audiobook narrator, and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better voice to bring this story to life. If you haven’t experienced the magic of this book yet, it’s the perfect pick to uplift your spirit during these drab winter days. 

Draco Malfoy & the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by Brigitte Knightley

DRACO MALFOY AND THE MORTIFYING ORDEAL OF BEING IN LOVE by Brigitte Knightley

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Hermione straddles the magical and non-magical worlds as a medical researcher and Healer about to make a Big Discovery. Draco is an Auror assigned to protect her from forces unknown -- to both of their displeasure.

My Thoughts: I am a 30-year-old woman officially in her Dramoine era and I don’t care who knows it! There is something inexplicably alluring about reading alternative storylines involving romance between Hermoine Granger and Draco Malfoy. Does it make sense why I’m so invested in this niche genre? Absolutely not. Did that stop me from finding a whole curated list of Dramoine fanfictions on Goodreads? Absolutely not. After getting emotionally wrecked by Manacled in December, one of my best friends recommended this title as my next venture into Draco/Hermoine fanfiction. Y’all. The banter alone was a work of art. In this Dramoine tale, Hermione is a highly successful medical researcher and doctor in the Muggle world, while in the wizarding world, she is a renowned healer. Draco, an incredibly talented Auror, is assigned to protect Hermione while she works on a top-secret project for the Ministry of Magic. Though they initially begrudge their forced partnership, subtle shifts in their dynamic begin to happen as emerging threats to Hermione and her work grow more dangerous. I was such a SIMP for this slow burn romance. It was so much fun watching them evolve from reluctant allies to friends—and then into something more. If you’re looking for a cure to your Manacled hangover and want a more lighthearted take on these characters, this is the perfect “book.” The writing was lovely, the plot solid, and the character development spot on. Honestly, you wouldn’t even know it’s fanfiction—especially when you’re giggling like a fool at their quick quips lol. 

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

THE PERFECT COUPLE by Elin Hilderbrand

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer - the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect.

My Thoughts: The only Elin Hilderbrand books I’ve read were part of her Winter series and, to me, those exuded more of a romance genre feeling than anything else. I also never looked into what the Netflix adaptation of this book was about, I just knew I wanted to read it before watching that. So imagine my surprise when, within the first few minutes of this audiobook, I realize it’s more of a murder mystery than anything else lol. This book had a slow start, but once I got into it, I was hooked. In the early morning hours of a lavish Nantucket wedding, the maid of honor is found floating facedown in the harbor. Cue an ongoing investigation into how she died. The story alternates between multiple POVs, shifting between the present—where police are interviewing everyone involved in the wedding—and the months leading up to the big event. All of these characters are a little morally gray, if you ask me. So it was hard to pinpoint who had the strongest motive for killing the maid of honor. On the surface, they seem polished and put together, but as the story progresses, you quickly realize their lives are anything but perfect. This wasn’t a mind-blowing premise, but I did thoroughly appreciate how seamlessly everyone’s stories wove together leading up to this tragedy. If you’re looking for a beachy murder mystery with a touch of romance and a heavy helping of family dysfunction, this book is a must!

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean, #2) (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars (but objectively 4/5 stars)

Summary: Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College—Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves. Although Violet’s body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else’s, she still has her wits—and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgiath has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules. But a determination to survive won’t be enough this year. Because Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College—and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.

My Thoughts: Listen, listen, listen, listen lol. I eyeball read this book the first time through last year and wanted to reread it again before Onyx Storm dropped on January 21st. However, I wanted to listen to it this time around and one of my friends recommended the dramatized audiobook… Y’ALL LOL. I wish you could see the fucking CHEESE dripping from my smile right now as I type. This version of this audiobook was soooo dRAmaTiC and I fucking loved every minute of it lmfao. It felt as though I was watching one of my mom’s weekday 12:30PM soap operas (Young & the Restless, anyone? IYKYK). It’s also FULL CAST *chef’s kiss*. Anyway, if I thought I couldn’t be anymore OBSESSED with the dragons in this series, give those scaly suckers an actual voice. Adolescent Andarna still served a full helping of sass while Tairn’s voice was lowkey giving James Earl Jones (RIP) Darth Vader. I have to say, reading this through a second time, I definitely picked up on a few things a little bit quicker than I did my first time through. Even some parts of the plot that I originally thought were a little messy were definitely brought up earlier in the book than I realized. That being said, knowledge is power, so I’m not sure if I found it easier to see those things because I already knew they were coming or if I was paying better attention to the details instead of INHALING the book as a whole. My biggest recommendation if you’ve never read this book and are a visual learner is to eyeball-read it first. Then try out the graphic audiobook afterwards. If you’re more of an auditory learner, then starting with the audiobook will be perf. As a side note, more so that you don’t judge me than anything I actually need to point out, some of the sounds the voice actor of Xaden makes during the salacious scenes are SO FUCKING CRINGE OMG LOL. So just be aware that you may want to tap that “skip forward 15 seconds” button until you’re on the other side of it lmao. At one point he literally sounded like he was chowing down on some hella good food but they were supposed to be making out and I simply could not. Otherwise, I’m ready to make Onyx Storm my entire personality once that book comes out. 🙂

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

THE BERRY PICKERS by Amanda Peters

Rating: 3.25/5 stars

Summary: July 1962. A Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family’s youngest child, vanishes. She is last seen by her six-year-old brother, Joe, sitting on a favorite rock at the edge of a berry field. Joe will remain distraught by his sister’s disappearance for years to come. In Maine, a young girl named Norma grows up as the only child of an affluent family. Her father is emotionally distant, her mother frustratingly overprotective. Norma is often troubled by recurring dreams and visions that seem more like memories than imagination. As she grows older, Norma slowly comes to realize there is something her parents aren’t telling her. Unwilling to abandon her intuition, she will spend decades trying to uncover this family secret.

My Thoughts: This book was a lot slower and darker than I anticipated. When they were kids, Norma (then Ruthie) went missing, and her brother, Joe, was the last person to see her. The story follows each sibling, showing how their lives unfold after that tragic event, with both facing their own types of adversity. Joe struggles with deep self-loathing rooted in the trauma of his sister’s disappearance. That pain manifests in self-destructive behavior—alcoholism, domestic violence, decades of estrangement from his family, and more. I have to be honest, I didn’t really like Joe’s character. I understood that he had a lot of healing to do after everything he’d been through, but he had a frustrating habit of telling others what they needed from him instead of actually listening to what they were saying. Norma, on the other hand, was a much more likable character, though her life ended up being incredibly sheltered and saturated in secondhand grief from her mother’s struggles with infertility. She eventually managed to break free from her overprotective parents, but I hated that they gaslit her her entire life—especially in childhood. It was no surprise that she developed a habit of second-guessing herself. This book was definitely impactful and explores how the bonds of family can remain strong, even after unimaginable tragedy.Overall, it was a good book, but it may have been a victim of its own hype for me.

West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

WEST WITH GIRAFFES by Lynda Rutledge

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. It’s 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world-weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a twelve-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California’s first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world’s first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes.

My Thoughts: I originally heard about this book through my mom and although I was intrigued when she told me about it last summer, I didn’t have a desire to pick it up right away. However, now that this gem is on Kindle Unlimited, I couldn’t help myself. There was something so endearing about it that made it easy to return to each night. Woody Nickel is currently 105, living his last years in a nursing home. He knows his days are numbered when he starts seeing a giraffe at his window—a sign that it’s time to finally write down a story he hasn’t told anyone in full for decades. Switch to 1938 and Woody has just made his way to New York from rural Texas after losing his family in the Dust Bowl. During his first week there, a hurricane hits, destroying most of the harbor and tragically killing his cousin—his last known relative. As he struggles to figure out where to go next, a freighter glides into the harbor carrying two giraffes. Woody has never seen anything like them and, on impulse, decides to follow them on their cross-country journey to the San Diego Zoo. Through a series of unexpected events, he ends up driving the truck carrying these majestic animals, forming a bond not just with the giraffes but also with a few unforgettable characters along the way.  Between Woody’s innocence and naivety, the Old Man’s deep love for animals, and Red’s whimsical appearances, my empathy cup had runneth over. This crew of misfits had me hanging on every mile of their once-in-a-lifetime voyage across the country. I haven’t felt this cozy with a book in a while, and I highly recommend it as your next historical fiction read!

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn (REREAD) (The Legendborn Cycle, #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. A flying demon feeding on human energies. A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down. And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw. The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates. She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight.

My Thoughts: The third book in this series, Oathbound, comes out in March. When the second book was released, I made the mistake of not rereading the first one and felt absolutely fucking LOST while trying to keep up. So, I promised myself I’d reread both Legendborn and Bloodmarked before the third book drops—and what better way to do that than with the audiobook? :) I didn’t LOVE this narrator tho. She kept pronouncing it “King AUTHOR” instead of “ARTHUR,” and it drove me up a wall—but I liked her enough to stick with it. It’s been a few years since I eyeball-read this book back in 2022 (OG review here). However, its excellence stood the test of time and I am still gobsmacked at how amazing this story is. SO MUCH HAPPENS. As an urban fantasy set at UNC, there isn’t a ton of time needed for world-building. Instead, Tracy Deonn puts all her energy into crafting a full roster of incredibly well-developed characters and a multi-layered plot, which results in nothing less than an all-consuming book. Between the secret society recruitment process, the mystery of who keeps opening gates to let demons through, and Bree uncovering more about her magic, this story straps you in and does not let go. If you’re looking for a fantasy series that will not disappoint, I highly recommend getting your hands on this one! 

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

HEARTLESS HUNTER by Kristen Ciccarelli (The Crimson Moth, #1) (REREAD)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is. Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe – a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution – who she can't help but find herself falling for. Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

My Thoughts: I realized in mid-January that the second book in this duology comes out on February 18th and when I tell you I gasped because HOW DID I NOT KNOW THAT?? This was one of my absolute favorite fantasies from last year and I think about it all the time because it now lives rent free in my brain (see the OG review here). So, per my usual move, I decided to listen to the audiobook this time around for my reread, and y’all, it did not disappoint. The narrator’s voice was PERFECT for this book—it completely engrossed me in the story. I still love how the format switches between Rune and Gideon as they play this high-stakes cat-and-mouse game with each other. Rune is a vigilante known as the Crimson Moth, smuggling witches to the mainland—where magic is still accepted—before the Red Guard can capture and kill them. Gideon, captain of the Red Guard, has one priority: figuring out who the Crimson Moth is. Cue Rune and Gideon courting each other with ulterior motives—Rune, to rescue a recently captured, highly powerful witch; Gideon, to unmask the Crimson Moth. Watching them dance around each other as their dynamics shift was everything. As I said in my original review, the tension between them is THICC, and that DEFINITELY translated through the audiobook, too. If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s fast paced and has a jaw-dropping plot twist, I cannot recommend this book enough!

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life. Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared. A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible – a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

My Thoughts: This book started off strong and had me hooked for the most part. There was a creepy undertone to everything happening to Grady on this remote Scottish island that had me second-guessing everything. But around the middle, things started to feel repetitive—to the point where I kept hoping there was still a purpose behind all these so-called "new" developments. So, I stuck it out. There’s a strong unreliable narrator element here, as Grady begins losing his sanity due to intense insomnia and the way the island’s residents treat him. You feel like they’re gaslighting him, but at the same time, you’re not sure if those passive fronts are real or just in his head. One thing Alice Feeney does exceptionally well? Slapping you in the face with a plot twist—and holy hell, if I didn’t have a metaphorical handprint on my face after this one hit. I literally went, WAIT, WHAT?? Despite that banger of a twist, though, the book as a whole was just fine. You don’t really get to build a connection with any of the other characters enough to form an opinion on who’s the lesser of two evils. The premise is clever, but I think it could’ve been fleshed out a little more.

These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi

THESE INFINITE THREADS by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom #2)

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: With the heat of a kiss, the walls between Alizeh, the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom, and Kamran, the crown prince of the Ardunian empire, have crumbled. And so have both of their lives. Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn throne, is destined to free her people from the half-lives they’ve been forced to live under human rule. When Kamran, the heir to the human throne, falls in love with her, he’s forced to question everything he’s been taught about Jinn. Kamran’s grandfather lays dead at the hand of Cyrus, ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Tulan. Cyrus has stolen Alizeh away to his homeland and plans to marry her there, giving her everything she needs to become the Jinn queen—and when she assumes the throne he will have fulfilled his own bargain with the devil. Alizeh wants nothing to do with Cyrus’s deal or the devil. But without a way to escape Tulan, and with the fulfillment of her own destiny tantalizingly close, she’ll have to decide whether she can set aside her emotions to become the queen her people need. Kamran, meanwhile, is picking up the pieces in Ardunia. Facing betrayal at every turn, all he knows is that he must go to Tulan to avenge his grandfather. He can only hope that Alizeh will be waiting for him there—and that she hasn’t yet become the queen of Tulan.

My Thoughts: The way this book was no plot, just vibes… lol. Like actually, the meter barely moved in terms of progressing the story or giving us a clear idea of what’s next. The book mainly focused on Alizeh and Cyrus now that they’re in the kingdom of Tulan. He kidnapped her with the intent of convincing her to marry him and use his kingdom as a launch point to reclaim her throne. She knows she can’t trust him, but the tension between them? THICC. After witnessing him in an extremely vulnerable situation, Alizeh finds herself battling some serious inner turmoil—because this morally gray boy is absolutely GONE for her. While these two dance around each other in Tulan, Kamran is dealing with the aftermath of his grandfather’s death and the appearance of Cyrus back in Ardunia. This side of the story was a mess lol. He’s apparently disfigured from some bad kickback from magic, there are people doubting he’s the true heir to the throne, and he doesn’t know who he can trust anymore after everything that went down with Alizeh. All the while, the most random rag-tag group of misfit toys including a former street urchin, the local apothecarist, an air-headed debutante, and his best friend are all determined to help him find Alizeh and bring her back. Y’all. There really wasn’t any clear purpose to this book lmao, but I did enjoy it overall - if only for the Cyrus content. <3

The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church

THE GIRLS WE SENT AWAY by Meagan Church

Rating: 3.75/5 stars

Summary: It's the 1960s and Lorraine Delford has it all – an upstanding family, a perfect boyfriend, and a white picket fence home in North Carolina. Yet every time she looks through her father's telescope, she dreams of the stars. It's ambitious, but Lorraine has always been exceptional. But when this darling girl-next-door gets pregnant, she's forced to learn firsthand the realities that keep women grounded. To hide their daughter's secret shame, the Delfords send Lorraine to a maternity home for wayward girls. But this is no safe haven – it's a house with dark secrets and suffocating rules. And as Lorraine begins to piece together a new vision for her life, she must decide if she can fight against the powers that aim to take her child or submit to the rules of a society she once admired.

My Thoughts: This book was truly beautiful, heart-breaking, and thought-provoking. Through a fictional lens, it sheds light on the Baby Scoop Era when young, unwed women were coerced or gaslit into giving their babies up for adoption. This story follows Lorraine, a high school senior on her way to becoming valedictorian with dreams of going to college. However, all of that comes crashing down when she gets pregnant from her boyfriend. He decides he “just can’t deal” with all of it because he’s a freshman in college and “has more important things to focus on”, which leaves her picking up the pieces. It was gut-wrenching to watch the challenges faced by the young women at the home Lorraine was sent to. They were alone with no guidance or emotional support, and their choices were ripped away from them by people they should have been able to trust. The amount of character development we witnessed Lorraine experience within those nine months is heartbreaking as she goes from that innocent girl next door to a young woman forced to face the reality of her situation. It would be a missed opportunity not to mention that the Baby Scoop Era began to decline in the 1970s with the rise of the women’s rights movement, better access to contraception, and the legalization of abortion… Just some important issues our society still feels the need to debate these days…???? Anyway, if you’re looking for a historical fiction novel that will light your fire as a woman or put yourself in a woman’s shoes as a man, this one will do it lol.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

SWORD CATCHER by Cassandra Clare

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill. Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible. Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge. After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces. As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

My Thoughts: Who am I and why did I not realize Cassandra Clare wrote a brand new regency-era fantasy series?? I devoured every inch of her Shadow Hunters world and could not wait to see what this one is about. The first thing I have to say about this book is, Cassie Clare woke up and chose chaos the day she sat down to write a 70-page prologue lol. I listened to the audiobook and saw that the prologue was NINETY minutes long and when I tell you I did a double take. Everything explained in the prologue is definitely necessary, but I’ve just never run into one as long as that. The story itself was nothing groundbreaking but still managed to suck me in. Kel was plucked from an orphanage when he was just 10-years-old to become the Sword Catcher for Prince Conor Aurelian. The Sword Catcher’s life purpose is to be a body double and protect the prince at all costs. Which means he can’t really plan for any sort of future. Lin Caster is an Ashkari physician which is the only community left able to do lesser magic. Her best friend is very sick and Lin’s main focus is to find a cure. Kel and Lin are both given offers they can’t refuse from the city’s main criminal lord. However, once they start getting deeper into his underworld of crooks and liars, things start going sideways. This book was definitely a little slower than I anticipated, but I can’t say I wasn’t invested in each and every scene. It helped that the format switched between Lin’s and Kel’s POVs and that they aren’t each other’s love interest. At first, I was hoping they would be, but their lack of romance actually gave the plot more room to breathe and allowed for additional subplots and side characters. The second book in this series comes out in February and I’ve already set a notification in Libby to alert me when the audiobook is available lol. If you’re a fan of Cassandra Clare’s writing, I definitely recommend giving her new venture a try!

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

ONYX STORM by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean, #3)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

My Thoughts: Y’ALLLLLLLL. I gave it all of exactly one hour before I sat down to write this review because OH MY GOD. I’d like to start by making a bold statement that this is my favorite book of the series by far. Onyx Storm makes Iron Flame look like a MESSY 2-star read, okay? Rebecca Yarros said, “give me time to write,” and my friends, she WROTE. You had a well developed, complex plot that served to answer multiple questions we’ve all been asking. You had some refreshing, vivid world building as the quest squad traveled from isle to isle looking for Andarna’s kind. The character arcs were a thing of beauty and quenched the thirst we were all feeling after Iron Flame. Although complicated politics were still prevalent in this book, I appreciated that there wasn’t SUCH a frustrating focus on it. Similarly, the angsty romance line that plagued our ever-waking thoughts throughout the last book was finally put to rest in this one, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything else. Romance definitely maintained a presence, but instead of driving the car, it took somewhat of a back seat to the endless action and adventure we experienced in this war-simmering world. I already know I’m going to have to reread it again later this year because THAT ENDING? Left me with more questions than I can even begin to express which is just RUDE. Anyway, if you need me, I’ll be chest deep in some Onyx Storm theories and threads lol. Closing thoughts: the boys whose names end with c’s need awards for being absolute scene stealers in this one - aka Aaric and Ridoc. <3

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

THE BRIAR CLUB by Kate Quinn

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary:  Washington, D.C., 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boarding house in the heart of the nation’s capital, where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; police officer’s daughter Nora, who is entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Bea, whose career has ended along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare. Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears apart the house, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: Who is the true enemy in their midst?

My Thoughts: Kate Quinn is an “auto-read” author for me. I cannot say enough good things about her historical fiction books, and when I heard there was a mystery/thriller twist to this story, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The beginning takes place on Thanksgiving in 1954 at the Briarwood House - an all-female boarding house in Washington D.C. There’s been a murder and the cops are trying to figure out what’s happened while the tenants and their guests quietly try to process the events of the day. From there, the book’s chapters focus on each individual tenant. I absolutely loved this format. It was impossible not to develop a connection with each character, and you really get a clear sense of the role they play in the house’s dynamics. One woman, in particular, acted as the glue holding everyone together and started what they called "The Briar Club"—a weekly Thursday dinner gathering. After their nosy and overbearing landlady left to play bridge each week, the tenants would crowd into the fourth-floor apartment, taking turns cooking dinner. A few of their recipes are sprinkled throughout the book, which was such a fun touch. The theme of found family was felt so viscerally throughout this group. Even the landlady’s kids were a part of this hodge podge bunch where they all looked out for each other. Although I definitely should have seen the plot twist coming lol, I appreciated that it didn’t quite give everything away that happened on Thanksgiving in 1954. It gave room for the last few chapters to suss out the mystery and what came after. This novel will probably live rent free (pun not intended) in my brain for a while and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for an unconventional historical fiction book.

That’s it for January! 

I’ve already got a few books on my radar for February, but we shall see what my mood pushes me towards. 

2025 Book Count: 14

Add me on Goodreads if you haven’t already.

YOUR TURN! What was your favorite book in January? OR if you read Onyx Storm, what are some of the best theories you’ve encountered?

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ahh a new year means new reading goals and creating a brand new list of “Want to Read” books for 2025. 

Personally, I’m a pretty big mood reader. Meaning the books I pick up depend on how I’m feeling at that moment. So although I have some books in mind that I want to read, I don’t usually have a solid decision made as to which book I will be reading next. We’re making “game time” decisions over here lol. 

I know not everyone is a mood reader though. So whether you’re looking to get back into reading or have already (re)started your reading journey, I figured I’d provide some of my favorite books that I read in 2024 to give you some ideas as to what your next book could be. 

A couple of notes: 

• To be clear, these books weren’t necessarily published in 2024. I just read them in 2024.

• I’ll link each book to the respective blog post on my website in which it was reviewed. That way, if you want to see a more elaborate explanation as to why I loved a book, you can. :)

FANTASY/ROMANTASY

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

• Basic premise: Raised to protect their family’s collection of magical books,the Kalotay sisters are brought back together after their father’s mysterious death reveals hidden dangers within their legacy. As they unravel secrets spanning generations and continents, they confront a world of magic that threatens everything they treasure.

• Read this if you like: phenomenal storylines, multiple POVs, fantastic character arcs, and a dash of blood magic. 

• Find my full review here.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

• Basic premise: Two young rival journalists develop a connection through a magical wardrobe. As they are thrust into a divine war with mystical typewriters, their connection becomes key to battling fate, saving humanity, and discovering love amidst chaos.

• Read this if you like: fantasy that also feels like historical fiction, dual POV format, war and magic, a slow burn romance, duologies (Ruthless Vows is already out!)

• Find my full review here.

Manacled by SenLinYu

• Basic Premise: Harry Potter is dead. In the aftermath of the war, in order to strengthen the might of the magical world, Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Hermione Granger has an Order secret, lost but hidden in her mind, so she is sent as an enslaved surrogate to the High Reeve until her mind can be cracked.

• Read if you like: fan-fictions or retellings, an incredible Dramoine ship, multiple timelines, darker content, slow burn romances, spice.

• Side notes: please check content and trigger warnings before diving into this one. Also, the author of this took it down from Archive of Our Own because they’re publishing it into an actual book - just outside of the Wizarding World because copyright lol. So you may have to wait until it’s officially published as its own book before being able to get your hands on it. Alternatively, hit me up, and I may be able to share the ePub document with you.

• Find my full review here. 

Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

• Basic premise: In a post-revolution world where witches are hunted, Rune hides her magic by day as a frivolous socialite and by night as the Crimson Moth, a vigilante rescuing her kind. When her path collides with Gideon Sharpe, a witch hunter posing as her suitor, their dangerous game of deception sparks a forbidden connection that could expose them both.

• Read if you like: regency era romances, enemies-to-lovers, a badass female main character, simpler magic structures, a bit of “cat and mouse,” duologies (the second one isn’t out yet but it will be this year!), quick pacing.

• Find my full review here.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

• Basic premise: Misery Lark, the outcast daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience with Werewolf Alpha Lowe Moreland to uphold a fragile peace. While Lowe watches her with suspicion, Misery hides her own secret agenda—one that could upend their alliance and her solitary life among the Weres.

• Read if you like: slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers, plot with politics, simpler magical/societal constructs, BOAT LOADS of humor, spice.

• Find my full review here.

YA FANTASY (YOUNG ADULT)

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

• Basic premise: In a fractured empire, Aiz, a vengeful prisoner, Sirsha, a magical tracker chasing a child killer, and Quil, a reluctant crown prince, find their fates intertwined. As a deadly new enemy rises, each must confront their past and decide what they are willing to sacrifice to protect their people and their future.

• Read if you like: An Ember in the Ashes series, high fantasy, militaristic world with social hierarchy, politics, adventure, multiple POVs.

• Find my full review here.

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

• Basic premise: Seventeen-year-old warrior Eelyn’s world shatters when she discovers her presumed-dead brother fighting for the enemy clan. Forced to endure a brutal winter among her foes, she must confront betrayal, forge unexpected alliances, and unite warring clans to face a legendary threat—or risk losing everything she holds dear.

• Read if you like: fantasy mixed with historical fiction, Vikings (like the Slavic fighters, not the Minnesota team lol), slow burn romance, enemies-to-lovers, tough and scrappy female main character. 

• Find my full review here.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

• Basic premise: Alizeh, a hidden Jinn queen masquerading as a servant, crosses paths with Crown Prince Kamran, who is haunted by prophecies of his king's death. Drawn together by fate, their connection threatens to unravel kingdoms and reshape the world.

• Read if you like: djinn-based magic, regency era, feuding kingdoms, prophecies, enemies-to-lovers, an underdog.

• Find my full review here. 

What The River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

• Basic premise: In nineteenth-century Buenos Aires, Inez Olivera inherits a fortune, a mysterious guardian, and an ancient golden ring after her parents' tragic deaths. Traveling to Cairo, she unravels a web of old-world magic tied to the ring and her parents’ disappearance, forcing her to rely on her wits—and a frustratingly charming assistant—to survive a deadly conspiracy.

• Read if you like: historical fiction, magical realism, Egypt, treasure hunting, red herrings, archaeology, adventure.

• Find my full review here.

MYSTERY/THRILLER

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

• Basic premise: Evie Porter, a fabricated identity created for mysterious assignments, faces her most challenging job yet when her target, Ryan Sumner, begins to feel like more than just a mark. As her carefully constructed life unravels and her true identity resurfaces, Evie must outwit her past while risking everything for a future she never imagined.

• Read if you like: mystery/thrillers that don’t involve a bunch of creepy content, spy movies, somewhat morally gray characters, TONS of plot twists, fast paced storylines.

• Find my full review here

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

• Basic premise: White lies. Dark humor. Deadly consequences… Bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American.

• Read if you like: the movie Get Out, satires, morally gray/unreliable narrators, bigotry called out.

• Find my full review here.

The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James

• Basic premise: In 1982, Viv Delaney takes a job as the night clerk at the eerie Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York, where secrets lurk in every shadow. As strange occurrences mount, Viv becomes determined to uncover the motel’s dark mysteries—no matter the cost.

• Read if you like: true crime podcasts, a little bit of paranormal activity, multiple POVs, dual timelines. 

• Find my full review here.

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

• Basic premise: In 1978, Pamela Schumacher survives a sorority massacre in Florida, while Tina Cannon in Seattle is driven to seek justice for a friend who disappeared under eerily similar circumstances. United by their pursuit of truth, these two women challenge the glorified narrative of a notorious serial killer, shining a light on the exceptional lives of the victims he sought to erase.

• Read if you like: true crime podcasts, stories involving serial killers, strong women leads, multiple POVs, dual timelines.

• Find my full review here,

ROMANCE

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

• Basic Premise: After the worst day of her life, Clementine vows to protect her heart by sticking to her plan: work hard, dream big, and avoid getting too close to anyone. But when she meets a kind Southern man living seven years in the past, she must decide whether love can defy the boundaries of time—or if it’s doomed by timing.

• Read if you like: dual timelines, the movie The Lake House, a little whimsy, getting your heart ripped apart then slowly sewn back together lol.

• Find my full review here.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

• Basic premise: Single mom and bestselling erotica author Eva Mercy is stunned when reclusive literary star Shane Hall reenters her life at a New York literary event, reigniting the chemistry—and heartbreak—they shared during a torrid week 20 years ago. Over seven steamy Brooklyn days, they confront their shared past, buried traumas, and lingering questions that could change everything.

• Read if you like: second chance romances, slow burns, dual timelines, a little spice.

• Find my full review here.

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

• Basic premise: Kennedy, a determined athletic trainer for the Windy City Warriors, finds her career and professional reputation at risk after a drunken Las Vegas night leaves her married to Isaiah Rhodes, the team’s charming shortstop. Bound by a scheme to save her job, they agree to a temporary marriage, but Isaiah is set on proving to Kennedy that their accidental union could be the real deal.

• Read if you like: sports romances, fake dating, forced proximity, he-falls-first, SPICE.

• Find my full review here.

Funny Story - Emily Henry

• Basic premise: After being left by her fiancé for his childhood best friend, Daphne starts over in Waning Bay, Michigan, as a children’s librarian and reluctantly becomes roommates with Miles, her ex’s fiancée’s ex. Despite their differences, a shared heartbreak leads to an unexpected friendship—and a fake summer fling—that might just become something real.

• Read if you like: phenomenal banter, dual POV, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, spice, quality Michigan references lol. 

• Find my full review here. 

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

• Basic Premise: After heartbreak tore their marriage apart, Yasmen and Josiah Wade have settled into a new normal, co-parenting their kids and running a successful business. But as lingering sparks reignite into something undeniable, they must decide if their love deserves a second chance—or if the past will keep them apart for good.

• Read if you like: second chance romance, stories about overcoming grief, dual POV, strong main characters, men who go to therapy (lol), and SPICE.

• Find my full review here.

FICTION (CONTEMPORARY/LITERARY)

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

• Basic Premise: Lillian agrees to care for her old friend's stepchildren, who have an unusual problem: they burst into flames when upset. As an unconventional summer unfolds, she forges a surprising bond with the fiery twins and discovers a new sense of purpose in her once aimless life.

• Read if you like: laugh-out-loud books, Marin Ireland as an audiobook narrator <3, absolutely ridiculous plots, unreliable narrators in that the main character’s life is a mess lol, people watching over kids who have no experience with kids.

• Side note: this really was one of, if not my top, favorite audiobook from 2024. 

• Find my full review here.

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

• Basic premise: Indian American journalist Smita returns to India to cover the harrowing case of Meena, a Hindu woman brutally punished for marrying a Muslim man, forcing Smita to confront both societal traditions and her own painful past. Amidst the turmoil, Smita’s growing connection with Mohan offers a tender exploration of love, identity, and the courage to bridge cultural divides.

• Read if you like: plots that explore other cultures, resilient women, the complexities of relationships, generational divides, or if you liked the vibes of The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi.

• Find my full review here.

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck 

• Basic premise: Newlyweds Lewis and Wren face an unimaginable reality when Lewis is diagnosed with a condition that will slowly transform him into a great white shark. As Lewis grapples with his fading humanity, Wren must confront her own past and decide if their love can endure the impossible.

• Read if you like: stories about metamorphosis and letting go, short chapters, some magical realism, multiple POVs, odd, yet beautifully written books that will stick with you for a long time.

• Find my full review here.

YA (YOUNG ADULT) FICTION 

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

• Basic premise: In Lahore, Pakistan, Misbah and Toufiq seek a fresh start in America after tragedy strikes, opening the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel to build a new life. Years later in Juniper, California, best friends-turned-strangers Salahudin and Noor must confront their fractured bond while grappling with family struggles, personal dreams, and the weight of their shared past.

• Read if you like: heart wrenching stories of friendship, forgiveness and resilience, multiple POV format, dual timelines, stories that explore the complexities of immigrant families in the US, generational narratives and grappling with cultural identity.

• Find my full review here.

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

• Basic premise: Simon Snow is the Chosen One, but he's terrible at magic, his life is falling apart, and a dangerous creature is wreaking havoc while wearing his face. To make matters worse, his vampire roommate and sworn nemesis, Baz, is mysteriously missing during their final year at Watford School of Magicks.

• Read if you like: a variety of magical beings, top notch banter, boarding school vibes, enemies-to-lovers, queer romances, laugh-out-loud one-liners, a British narrator (if audiobooks are your jam).

• Find my full review here.

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

• Basic premise: Mallory Greenleaf swore off chess after it shattered her family, but one unexpected win against world champion Nolan Sawyer drags her back into the high-stakes world she left behind. As Mallory rises through the ranks and navigates her rekindled passion for the game, she must balance her love for chess, the pull of an enigmatic rival, and the need to protect her family from its fallout.

• Read if you like: Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit (but with less alcohol and drugs lol), enemies-to-lovers, he-falls-first, thicccc romantic tension, quality comedic relief from side characters. 

• Find my full review here.

HISTORICAL FICTION

Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams

• Basic premise: In 2022, single mother Mallory Dunne must confront painful secrets from her past while searching for a kidney donor to save her son, all while reconnecting with a lost love and unearthing a family mystery. In 1951 Cairo, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth embarks on a passionate affair amidst political turmoil, unknowingly setting off events that will echo through generations and impact Mallory's life decades later.

• Read if you like: dual timelines and POVs, rich family secrets, second chance romances, emotionally charged stories, historical fiction writing similar to Kate Quinn or Kristin Hannah.

• Find my full review here.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

• Basic premise: In 1939 Memphis, twelve-year-old Rill Foss must protect her siblings after they are forcibly taken from their home and sent to a cruel orphanage, where they discover dark secrets about their future. Decades later, Avery Stafford uncovers a shocking family history that leads her to a long-buried truth about her own roots, revealing connections to a notorious child trafficking scandal.

• Read if you like: dual timelines, historical fiction stories based on real events, stories of family bonds and resilience, emotional journeys uncovering hidden truths, light romance subplots.

• Find my full review here.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

• Basic premise: This book follows the life of a boy born into poverty in southern Appalachia, navigating foster care, child labor, addiction, and personal loss. With a sharp wit and a will to survive, he faces the challenges of a world that ignores rural communities and their struggles.

• Read if you like: raw and gritty coming-of-age stories, books that explore themes of poverty, survival and resilience, the books Educated by Tara Westover or The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, stories that shine a light on social issues and overlooked communities. 

• Find my full review here.

SCIENCE FICTION

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

• Basic premise: When people around the world receive a mysterious wooden box containing the answer to how long they will live, it sparks a global crisis. Faced with the choice to learn their lifespan, each person must decide whether to open the box and how this knowledge will reshape their lives.

• Read if you like: multiple POVs, character stories that intertwine, books that explore deep moral dilemmas, plots that involve the complexities of fate and free will, the book The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, stories that will spark endless conversation with your friends who also read this book lol. 

• Find my full review here.

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

• Basic premise: In a dystopian future where America enforces strict cultural conformity, twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives with his father, a former linguist, in a world that punishes dissent. When Bird receives a cryptic letter, he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his mother, a Chinese American poet whose disappearance is tied to the oppressive regime.

• Read if you like: dystopian settings, thought-provoking narratives, explorations of culture and identity, plots involving societal control and the power of literature, books that will spark deep conversation.

• Find my full review here.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

• Basic premise: In this intricately woven tale, an exiled young man in 19th-century Canada, a bestselling author from a moon colony, and a detective from a futuristic city become entangled in a mysterious anomaly that could alter the course of time itself. Their interconnected stories explore the consequences of a single moment's impact, the blurred lines between reality and fiction, and the possibility of changing the universe’s fate.

• Read if you like: multiple POVs and timelines, interconnected stories, time-travel mysteries, her other book Station Eleven, books that explore the human connection.

• Find my full review here.

NON-FICTION

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Desmond Matthew

• Basic premise: In Evicted, Princeton sociologist Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of 21st-century America's most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible.

• Read if you like: a raw look at the flaws and ugliness of the “American Dream,” powerful accounts of systematic poverty, unapologetic anecdotes showing how, specifically, people of color are dealt the short end of the stick generation after generation, investigative journalism.

• Find my full review here.

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

• Basic premise: This book explores the power of language in shaping and sustaining cult-like groups, from notorious organizations like Jonestown to modern phenomena like SoulCycle and social media influencers. Through vivid storytelling and original research, Montell uncovers how language manipulates belief systems, creates intense communities, and influences our everyday lives, even outside of traditional cults.

• Read if you like: learning how language shapes our behaviors, beliefs, and communities, dissecting the darker sides of modern trends and social movements, how fucking bonkers some of these cult-following groups are and like real-life cults lol. 

• Find my full review here.

All righty. Those are my recommendations based on my favorite books from the 150+ I read in 2024 lol. Hopefully, you found something that sparked your interest!

Let me know if you read any of these! Otherwise, I’ll be posting my reviews from the books I read this month towards the end of January!

And if you haven’t already… add me on Goodreads. ;)

December 2024 Reads

As I write this intro, we are officially in that week between Christmas and New Year’s where you’re not really sure what day it is, let alone the date. We’re all basically mowing down on holiday treats, counting down the days until we have to go back to work. (booooo lol)

What I do know is that December absolutely FLEW by, as did 2024. Am I right?

This year felt like it was a growing year for me. I turned 30 in February, went through a rough breakup shortly after, spent most of this summer focusing on myself and being outside with my people, took a 950 mile road trip through California in the fall, started making moves in my career, and finally decided to get bangs for the winter lol. 

Throughout all of that, I had books to keep me company, and December was no exception. I read some absolute BANGERS this month and just hope that momentum carries into 2025. Specifically in the fantasy category, but we’ll get into that later. 

For now, let’s get into everything I read at the end of 2024. 

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads. 

Heir by Sabaa Tahir

HEIR by Sabaa Tahir (Heir Duology #1)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite. Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she's willing to give up. QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he’s loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need.

My Thoughts: BLEEDING SKIES! I do not know what rock I crawled under to not realize this book is a spin-off from Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series!! Needless to say, I was fucking STOKED to be back in this world with the next generation of characters. The start was a little bit of a slow burn, but once I got my footing with who each character was, I was absolutely ENTRANCED. We follow Aiz, a super pious orphan from a country that is cut off from most of the world and under control of a tyrant. She sets off on a pilgrimage to find her people’s deity that will free them from poverty, starvation, and a controlling government. There’s Sirsha who was banished from her people and now uses her magic to make a living as a tracker for people. Her latest job is to hunt down a killer who has been murdering children across the Martial Empire. Last, we follow Quil who is the crown prince of the Empire, A.K.A MY GIRL HELENE’S NEPHEW (*cue fangirl screaming omgggg*). He doesn’t really want to take the throne but when a ruthless new enemy threatens the Empire, Quil has to flee to find the one thing that can save his people and reflect on whether he can be the future ruler they need. Listen, Linda. SO MUCH HAPPENS in this book and I was absolutely SQUEALING any time a character from the OG series makes an appearance (i.e. Helene, Elias, Laia, Tas, and more.) I loved how each character’s journey started to intersect one another and once that plot twist hits… oooo-wee. You’re not even ready for it. I just BARELY figured out what the twist was right before it was revealed. Not to mention the ABSOLUTELY RUDE cliffhanger this book leaves you on at the end. I need the next book in this duology like yesterday lol. If it’s unclear, I was obviously in love with this book and highly recommend reading it if you’ve read An Ember in the Ashes. If you haven’t read that series, I recommend reading that FIRST then reading Heir.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?

My Thoughts: I know some people are over Emily Henry because her writing tends to feel like it’s all following the same formula. Which it is. However, what I appreciate about her as an author is that she makes every character and their story feel so incredibly unique. So even if all of her books share a similar rom-com DNA, I don’t think they feel the same at all. This gem was one of my favorites. Daphne and Miles are such fun, messy characters and the fact that they have to move in together after their exes break up with them to date each other is literally a chef’s kiss premise. You’ve already got a forced proximity trope mixed with friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, AND fake dating? Say less. I was obsessed with this audiobook. It was so much fun. The banter was top notch, and don’t get me started on all the comedic relief that the side characters provided. I loved the dynamics between Daphne and Miller as they completed each adventure they planned that summer before Daphne’s deadline. Their relationship felt so genuine and grew so organically, you couldn’t help but root for them. If you’re looking for a rom-com that won’t disappoint, you should definitely give this one a try! BONUS: this story takes place in a fictional town in Michigan and all of the Mitten State references are incredible lol. 

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

FINLAY DONOVAN ROLLS THE DICE by Elle Cosimano (Finlay Donovan #4)

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride. Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back. But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco's already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay's night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side. If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

My Thoughts: Okay as I mentioned in recent reviews of books in this series, the shit Finlay and Vero keep accidentally getting involved with has become progressively unhinged and this book is no exception lol. Basically, they’re in Atlantic City trying to settle some debts for Vero while also looking for her childhood crush, Javi, who was “allegedly” kidnapped by the Russian mob. Per usual, throw any and every wrench into their plans for making a “girls’ weekend away” cover harder to maintain. Including adding Finlay’s ex-husband into the mix, two dead guys, police stakeout on their hotel floor, Finlay’s new police boyfriend, her kids, and more. It’s a weekend full of chaos and sticky situations these women just BARELY eke their way out of. Although some of their shenanigans felt pretty unrealistic (i.e. keeping two dead guys on ice in a hotel room until they were ready to move them??) I still appreciated that there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and that everything happening is a continuation of the previous books in this series. It was also fun getting to see the storylines of side characters progress a little further as well since they’ve been on this journey with us since the beginning. I wouldn’t say the formula of this book was very different from the previous books; however, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to continue this series once the next book comes out. 

One Last Gift by Emily Stone

ONE LAST GIFT by Emily Stone

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you don't expect. Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and relied on each other--as well as a community of friends--to get through it. Especially Tom's best friend, Sam, who always made sure Tom and Cassie were surrounded with love. But now, twenty years later, Cassie has lost Tom as well. And in a way, she's also lost Sam; over the years they've drifted apart, and now the man she always had a crush on is someone she doesn't even recognize anymore. She's never felt more alone. Then she finds an envelope with her name on it, written in Tom's terrible handwriting, and she knows immediately what it is. It's the first clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt Tom made for her every year; he'd promised her for months that this year's would be the grandest one yet. At first, she's too scared to open it--what if she can't figure out the clues without his help? Or what if she does figure them all out, and her last connection to Tom is gone? Tom's clues set Cassie on a heart-wrenching and beautiful journey that will change her life--if she lets them. And as she travels from London to the Welsh mountains to the French countryside, she reconnects with old friends, rekindles a lost love, and most importantly, rediscovers herself. But once she's solved the final clue, will she be brave enough to accept the gift her brother has given her--and the love it's led her to?

My Thoughts: Listen, I have never been so in touch with the angsty side of the romance reader that I am until I started reading Emily Stone. She truly has a gift of taking your heart, ripping it into teeny tiny pieces, and then ever so slowly, sewing it back together. It’s like getting punched in the gut and saying “thank you” afterwards. I had a consistent lump in my throat this entire audiobook. The main characters, Cassie and Sam, are just STEEPED in grief after they lose her brother and his best friend, Tom. Both handle the blow of his death in different ways, but neither wants to lean on the other after a riff in their early twenties left them somewhat estranged. Growing up, Tom always made Cassie’s Christmas gift into a scavenger hunt and this year was going to be the hunt of all hunts. And, it just so happens, Tom was able to put it together prior to his death. I loved watching Cassie dig her way out of grief and truly step outside of her comfort zone as she completed each task in Tom’s last scavenger hunt. It allowed her to learn not only more about Tom, but also about herself and how complacent she had become in life. Inevitably, Tom’s death and dealing with his grief led Sam down a path he didn’t expect: running out on his wedding, quitting his high-paying job to do something he was more passionate about even though it made next to nothing, and realizing his feelings for Cassie. I think the format truly allowed me to make deeper connections with Cassie and Sam as individuals, which was so important since there’s so much animosity between their characters for a majority of the book. I wasn’t inclined to pick one person’s side because I could see how they each were hurting and why they couldn’t give into the feelings that had been brewing between them for years. Needless to say, Emily Stone did me dirty again and had me crying on multiple occasions lol. Then she kindly turned it around and handed me metaphorical tissues for an ending I could be happy about. If you’ve read/enjoyed her book Always, In December then I highly recommend giving this one a try. 

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR by Ally Carter

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days before Christmas. Meet Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt: She’s the new Queen of the Cozy Mystery. He’s Mr. Big-time Thriller Guy. She hates his guts. He thinks her name is Marcie (no matter how many times she’s told him otherwise.) But when they both accept a cryptic invitation to attend a Christmas house party at the English estate of a reclusive fan, neither is expecting their host to be the most powerful author in the world: Eleanor Ashley, the Duchess of Death herself. That night, the weather turns, and the next morning Eleanor is gone. She vanished from a locked room, and Maggie has to wonder: Is Eleanor in danger? Or is it all some kind of test? Is Ethan the competition? Or is he the only person in that snowbound mansion she can trust? As the snow gets deeper and the stakes get higher, every clue will bring Maggie and Ethan closer to the truth—and each other. Because, this Christmas, these two rivals are going to have to become allies (and maybe more) if they have any hope of saving Eleanor. Assuming they don’t kill each other first.

My Thoughts: This book was so entertaining. It’s very fast paced and makes you hit the ground running right from the start. Also, as a side note, I highly recommend the audiobook because it switches POVs between Maggie Chase and Ethan Wyatt, as well as mixing in recordings from their interview with the police. The plot was “And Then There Were None” adjacent in that someone goes missing, someone is unexpectedly poisoned, and there’s clearly a killer amongst those stuck at the snowed-in mansion of famed author Eleanor Ashley. As mystery/thriller writers themselves, Maggie and Ethan feel like it’s up to them to figure out where elderly Eleanor Ashley disappeared to during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. I liked that there was an unreliable narrator element to this story because it really kept me guessing as to whose perspective I could trust and made it hard to keep facts straight. There’s also a very sweet, light romance subplot in this book that did an amazing job of getting you more invested in the characters, but didn’t overshadow the bigger picture mystery. Honestly, this book is Christmas-themed, but I think it’s a fun book to pick up at any time of the year - and I recommend you do! :)

My December Darling by Lauren Asher

MY DECEMBER DARLING by Lauren Asher

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Catalina: Playing the part of my sister’s maid of honor is easy even if she’s marrying my ex. But playing nice with the best man? An impossible task given our history. Sure, Luke Darling may be suspiciously kind, incredibly handsome, and stubborn to a fault, but regardless of how hard he tries to make me see otherwise, I’m not interested. It’s on me to remind him that he’s my ex-boyfriend’s best friend. And the one I’m secretly starting to wish I met first. Luke: My job as the best man is a simple one, except for one minor issue. I’ve spent so much time avoiding my best friend’s ex that I didn’t consider what could happen if I started craving Catalina Martinez’s company instead. She is only in Lake Wisteria for the winter wedding, but her January departure date won’t stop me from pursuing her. Getting her to date me would be nothing short of a Christmas miracle, but I’m determined to make her mine. ‘Tis the season to fall in love…even if I’m the only one taking the risk.

My Thoughts: This was cute. Simply that. It didn’t give me the usual swoony, romance tingles that I’ve experienced with other Lauren Asher books, but it was still a cute story. To be fair, I think this was supposed to be an abbreviated story for the holiday season because it’s less than 300 pages. So we didn’t get to go as deep as usual with the characters. We got a high level view of their backgrounds, traumas, feelings, etc. but I wasn’t able to develop a strong connection with them. Don’t get me wrong. Luke is a doctor with the body of an underwear model who also happens to be the friendliest person you will ever cross paths with. So OBVI, it was easy to have a crush on him while he slowly built trust with Catalina until he could convince her to move home. The basic facets behind Catalina’s character is that she’s a traveling NICU nurse home for the holidays because her sister gets married the night before NYE. Her sister’s husband is technically her ex (which, debatable in my opinion. They never slept together and apparently went on like four dates, but whatever), so Catalina is feeling a little awkward around the happy couple. She’s also super lonely and feels like her mom judges her. That’s basically it lol. That’s Catalina’s character. I liked her enough but didn’t fall in love with her by any means. As I said, this story was cute, but I doubt I’d ever go back to it. If you’re looking for a quick holiday read that keeps it pretty light and has just a dash of spice (like cinnamon, not pepper), this could be for you!

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

REALM BREAKER by Victoria Aveyard

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: A strange darkness is growing in the Ward. Even Corayne an-Amarat can feel it, tucked away in her small town at the edge of the sea. Fate knocks on her door, in the form of a mythical immortal and a lethal assassin, who tell Corayne that she is the last of an ancient lineage—with the power to save the world from destruction. Because a man who would burn kingdoms to the ground is raising an army unlike any seen before, bent on uprooting the foundations of the world. With poison in his heart and a stolen sword in his hand, he'll break the realm itself to claim it. And only Corayne can stop him. Alongside an unlikely group of reluctant allies, Corayne finds herself on a desperate journey to complete an impossible task, with untold magic singing in her blood and the fate of the world on her shoulders.

My Thoughts: Okay to be fair, this is your quintessential first book in a YA fantasy series. There’s a TON of world building, character introductions including their backgrounds, magic systems to establish, politics to untangle, etc. So I don’t feel like we had the time to truly develop quality relationships with the characters because all of that other subject matter needed to be squeezed into this book to set us up for the rest of the series. Plus, each chapter switched to a different character’s POV, so you really had to pay attention to keep up with who you’re now hearing the internal dialogue for. The plot is quite the adventure and I think it would’ve been helpful to have a map, but alas, I listened to it on audiobook and couldn’t refer to anything. I was engaged with this book enough to want to read the next book in the series. However, I think what was missing in this one were stronger relationships between this hodge podge of characters - especially romantic ones. Like there was a crush brewing between Coryane and the squire, but I just need more from it. Similarly, the assassin and the elder kept sniping at each other with snarky remarks, which to me would be the PERFECT opportunity for an enemies-to-lovers moment, but we’ll see if that actually comes to fruition. Not that every book I read needs romantic relationships, but even platonic connections weren’t all that strong by the time I finished this book. So yeah. I liked it enough to keep going, but if the next book is kind of mid, I probably won’t continue this series. 

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE by Benjamin Stevenson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate. I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that. Have I killed someone? Yes. I have. Who was it? Let's get started. EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE. My brother. My stepsister. My wife. My father. My mother. My sister-in-law. My uncle. My stepfather. My aunt. Me.

My Thoughts: If you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, I think this book could be up your alley. I went the audiobook route and to my delight, the narrator has an Australian accent, so that was a huge bonus lol. This book is from the perspective of a guy named Ernie. His family is a little more than dysfunctional after his brother committed murder a few years ago and Ernie is the one who testified in court to put him in prison. Fast forward to when the brother is getting out, and the family is celebrating with a little reunion at a remote ski resort up in the mountains. After a man is found dead near the resort, and in a very mysterious manner, everyone is on high alert as to who the killer could be. Ernie walks us through everyone’s relationships, their secrets, backgrounds, and more as we piece together who the killer might be. There are HELLA twists in this story that I did not expect. The most unique part of this book, though, was the format. It was told as though Ernie is writing a letter or in his journal. So he tells you right off the bat which chapters have a murder in them and what to expect, but it doesn’t make seeing the plot twists any easier. The only reason I docked it a star is because the big reveal at the end where Ernie explains how he figured everything out felt like it was a little abrupt for how in-depth the connections are. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it if you’re looking for a cozy murder mystery perfect for the winter season. 

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

THIS COULD BE US by Kennedy Ryan (Skyland #2)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Soledad Barnes has her life all planned out. Because, of course, she does. She plans everything. She designs everything. She fixes everything. She’s a domestic goddess who's never met a party she couldn't host or a charge she couldn't lead. The one with all the answers and the perfect vinaigrette for that summer salad. But none of her varied talents can save her when catastrophe strikes, and the life she built with the man who was supposed to be her forever, goes poof in a cloud of betrayal and disillusion. But there is no time to pout or sulk, or even grieve the life she lost. She's too busy keeping a roof over her daughters' heads and food on the table. And in the process of saving them all, Soledad rediscovers herself. From the ashes of a life burned to the ground, something bold and new can rise. But then an unlikely man enters the picture—the forbidden one, the one she shouldn't want but can't seem to resist. She's lost it all before and refuses to repeat her mistakes. Can she trust him? Can she trust herself? After all she's lost . . . and found . . .can she be brave enough to make room for what could be?

My Thoughts: I just read the first book in this series, Before I Let Go, in October and loved it. When I saw This Could Be Us was a nominee for the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards, I knew I wanted to read it before the year was out. Kennedy Ryan really does have a way of writing characters at their rawest level of vulnerability and making it so beautiful. Soledad is going THROUGH it. She’s in an incredibly toxic marriage where her asshole husband gaslights her constantly and then it turns out he’s going to prison for embezzlement at work. As a stay-at-home mom, she has to quickly pivot to figure out how to keep a roof over her three daughters’ heads and maintain their lifestyle without their main breadmaker in the picture anymore. The man who put Soledad’s husband in prison? Judah Cross. He’s the walking definition of SWOON and is nothing but green flags. Although there’s instant chemistry between him and Soledad, he respects that she’s taking the time to date herself and nourish her self love journey before she’s ready to commit to a new relationship. This whole story was so much more than your typical romance and I cannot recommend it enough. Side note: you don’t HAVE to read Before I Let Go first before reading this book. However, I recommend reading them in order because you have better insight into all characters involved. 

The Measure by Nikki Erlick

THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice. It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out. But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live. From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise? As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

My Thoughts:  Okay this is hands down one of the most thought provoking books I’ve read this year. It follows eight different people as the world navigates a new normal where anyone 22 or older receives a mysterious box one night on their doorstep. Inside the box is a string whose length indicates the lifetime of that person. Cue absolute chaos as the world is divided into long stringers and short stringers. People can decide if they want to open their box or if they’d rather leave knowing how long they’ll live to fate. There were SO many commonalities between this book and our society in reality. It was a very “them vs. us” narrative. Especially when it comes to who deserves health care, how people treat each other, what is seen as acceptable to talk about in school, etc. Not to mention, although this book was published in 2022, the similarities between the presidential election in this book and the election season we just had was absolutely CHILLING. There’s one scene that literally made me stop to check if she had based some of the events in this book off of what happened this year or if it was published prior. Anyway, needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend picking up this book as soon as you can. It is one of those stories that is going to stick with me for years to come.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

THIS WOVEN KINGDOM by Tahereh Mafi (This Woven Kingdom #1)

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary: To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight. The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.

My Thoughts: The last series I read by Tahereh Mafi was her Shattered series, and when I tell you I was absolutely OBSESSED, I am not exaggerating. I think I finished the entire series, plus the novellas in between each novel, in the matter of a month or something like that. Her writing has a way of sucking you in unexpectedly and this book is no exception. Although it has a little bit of a slow burn, I appreciated that the pacing provided enough time for me to develop individual relationships with Alizeh and Kamran before their paths truly crossed. Alizeh is a djinn woman who has finally scored a job as a servant in a noble house. The key to survival and to maintaining her incredibly low paying job is to keep her head down and off everyone’s radars. She manages to do this successfully until the crown prince, Kamran, returns to the capitol after spending a year away and witnesses her disarm a street rat who’s holding her at knife point. Kamran immediately reports what he suspects to the king which sparks a manhunt for this supposed djinn spy infiltrating the human kingdom. I loved that the format of this book switched between Alizeh’s and Kamran’s POVs, so that you can not only see what each character is up to, but also get their internal dialogue as the story progresses. The end of this book leaves you on QUITE the cliffhanger, so needless to say I will be continuing onto the next book in this series because I need MORE.

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn

HOW MY NEIGHBOR STOLE CHRISTMAS by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot. But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not. As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win. Over Cole's dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump's heart has grown three sizes this season and he's fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title. But the competition isn't the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee's fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they're attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…

My Thoughts: It’s been a minute since I read a Meghan Quinn novel, but I do appreciate that her writing is easily distinguishable and consistent across all of her books. This was a quirky, holiday romance set in a small town that basically celebrates Christmas year-round. It was giving Frankenmuth meets Christmas, MI (in the UP, IYKYK) but with a little Hallmark charm. Basically, Storee’s great Aunt Cindy convinces her to enter the town’s Christmas Kringle contest in her stead since Aunt Cindy just broke a hip. Cole, Aunt Cindy’s nextdoor neighbor and the town’s Grinch, basically says “the audacity,” and ends up entering the contest just to spite Storee. This is a pretty long holiday romance (I think about 450 pages), and it took me a minute to get into because although I love a grumpy/sunshine trope, I didn’t love Storee’s or Cole’s characters right away. So I wasn’t rooting for either of them to win the Christmas Kringle. As the holiday shenanigans commenced and the story deepened, it was easier to get invested in the multiple plotlines happening here. There’s plenty of banter, cheesy Christmas-related jokes, and some quality spice to balance out all of the sweet. If ya know what I mean. ;) Of recent holiday books I’ve read, this one was definitely enjoyable, but didn’t knock my stockings off lol. 

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

BLADE BREAKER by Victoria Aveyard (Realm Breaker #2)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: The fate of the world rests on a blade's edge. Fighting beside her band of unlikely companions, Corayne is learning to embrace her ancient lineage and wield her father's powerful sword. But while she successfully closed one of the Spindles, her journey is far from over. Queen Erida's army marches across Allward with her consort, Taristan, right beside them, opening more portals into nightmarish worlds, razing kingdoms to the ground. Corayne has no choice but to assemble an army of her own if she's to save the realm as she knows it. But perilous lands await her and the companions, and they face assassins, otherworldly beasts, and tempestuous seas all as they rally a divided Ward to fight behind them. But Taristan has unleashed an evil far more wicked than his corpse armies. Something deadly waits in the shadows; something that might consume the world before there's any hope for victory.

My Thoughts: Okay, I will say. I was lukewarm on the first book of this series (see Realm Breaker above), but wanted to give the second book a chance to see if the author dug a little deeper now that she’s established the world building, character stories, and magic system. This was definitely a little bit of a slow burn to start. I was honestly torn between pausing this audiobook and trying it again later or powering through. Since the characters and plot were fresh in my brain though, I decided to stick with it and I’m pleased to say it was better than I expected! We’re still following this hodge podge group of unlikely companions as they try finding all of the open spindles that are allowing dark magic into their realm. Although I still wish we got a TOUCH deeper with the character relationships, they were definitely taken to the next level. Even the elder and assassin who usually cannot stand each other had some emotionally vulnerable moments that strengthened their bond. I gotta say, the evil queen Erida CLEARLY was not hugged enough as a child lol. However, I was oddly rooting for her and Taristan as much as I was rooting for the group of protagonists because this couple is so unhinged but also work really well as a team. This book was still an enjoyable adventure and it left us on quite the cliffhanger, but I probably won’t continue with the series if I’m being honest. So take that as you will. 

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston 

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: Evie Porter has everything a nice, Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she’s given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn’t privy to Mr. Smith’s real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she’s starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can’t make any mistakes—especially after what happened last time. Because the one thing she’s worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to—her real identity—just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there’s still a future in front of her. The stakes couldn't be higher—but then, Evie has always liked a challenge…

My Thoughts: Hands down this is one of my favorite books that I read in 2024. It gives the vibes of a spy movie like Kingsman or Salt, and took so many turns, I couldn’t tell which way was up. Considering I went into this book without reading the synopsis, I thought it was going to be your typical mystery thriller and assumed she was some type of stalker. However, I was quickly put to shame and instead sucked into one of the most fast-paced stories I’ve experienced in a while. I could not stop listening to it. I loved that the format switched between present day, on Evie Porter’s current job, and the last few jobs she’s had spanning back eight years. It provided insight not only into her personal past, but also her line of work and how she landed such a dangerous job. As I said before, this book had SO MANY TWISTS and had my heart beating double time as Evie worked her way out of some sticky situations. There is a light romance storyline in this book that I thoroughly appreciated because the love interest is just as morally gray as Evie, and we love when two mildly questionable characters find each other. I feel like my review doesn’t give this book the justice it deserves, but holy hell. If you’re looking for an ADDICTING mystery thriller, you MUST pick this one up.

The Mistletoe Bet by Maren Moore

THE MISTLETOE BET by Maren Moore

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Summary: Everyone says “there’s no place like home”… well not for me. When I’m forced to spend the holidays at home with my family in Strawberry Hollow, I have no idea how I’m even going to survive the week, let alone make it through my least favorite holiday… Christmas. That is until I run into my childhood crush, and my brother’s best friend, Parker Grant. Now, he’s the sexy, off-limits doctor in our small town, and nothing like the man I left behind six years ago. While I hate the holidays, there is nothing that he loves more. Well, other than a good bet. Which is exactly what happens when we end up together under the mistletoe. A bet that changes everything. He asks for the next seven days to change my mind about Christmas. But seven days alone with Parker is more than either of us bargained for. Now, there’s much more at stake than a silly mistletoe bet.

My Thoughts: Ugh okay. As I was reading this book, I literally told myself “you gotta stop reading Christmas-themed novellas” because I’ve been mildly disappointed with them in the past. This book is no exception. Although most of the writing was fine, there were some parts of it that felt tone deaf or just took me out of the story. It almost felt like a man was behind some of the writing, if that makes sense lol. Especially from a female perspective. For example, this girl says she shaved her entire body before a date one night and then shaved her entire body AGAIN the next night. First off, if the guy can’t handle your body hair, he ain’t it. Secondly, THE RAZOR BURN?? There’s no way you can do an “everything” shower two days in a row and not irritate your skin. Holy hell. I also didn’t love the main guy in this. There wasn’t anything super unique about him to make me swoon or buy into this romance. He’s a hot doctor and that’s basically it. I don’t know. If this book was any longer, I probably would’ve DNF’ed it, but since it was only about 120 pages, I powered through. However, I do not recommend it lol. 

The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman

THE CHRISTMAS ORPHAN’S CLUB by Becca Freeman

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: Hannah and Finn have spent every Christmas together since college. Neither has anywhere else to go—Hannah’s parents died, and Finn’s disowned him when he came out. Their tradition of offbeat holiday adventures only grows more outrageous with time. When the pair starts their adult lives in New York City, they add stylish Priya and mysterious Theo to the group, solidifying a found family and sense of belonging they’ve always craved. But now, when Finn announces a move to L.A., this Christmas may be their last. Hannah is terrified of losing the family she’s built for herself, even as her boyfriend nudges her toward commitment. Meanwhile, Finn struggles with the things he’s about to leave behind—namely, his unexpressed feelings for Theo. Does growing up mean growing apart? This Christmas the changes these friends fear may be exactly what they need. . . .

My Thoughts: I’ve been listening to the “Bad on Paper” podcast since 2018, and last year one of the hosts (Becca Freeman) published her own Christmas-themed novel, but I was waiting for this holiday season to roll around before diving into it. I knew from her talking about it on the podcast that this isn’t necessarily a rom-com, but has those same vibes. This book is definitely more about found family and friendships even though there are some light romance subplots mixed into it. Basically, Hannah and Finn started a Christmas tradition in college where they spend the holiday together every year. After eventually adding two friends, Priya and Theo to the mix, this group of hodge podge friends become a family of sorts. However, Finn just announced he’s moving to L.A., so this could be the last year they celebrate Christmas together. Which throws Hannah, specifically, into a tizzy about making this year the best Christmas they’ve ever had. The book oscillates between past Christmases and the present December. What I quickly picked up on is that clearly Hannah sees her friends as the family she never really had since her parents died when she was so young. However, it also felt extremely codependent. It was almost like she expected her friends to be all or nothing without having to make any compromises herself. I also didn’t love Finn. He was giving a little bit of “manic pixie dream boy” and was way too in his head about things. Priya and Theo were fine as side characters, but I don’t think they added a ton to the dynamics of the group. I don’t know. It was a solid debut novel and if you’re looking for a holiday-themed book that centers more on friendship than romance, this is a great option for that. However, I don’t think I’ll ever pick this one up again. 

Manacled by SenLinYu

MANACLED by SenYinLu

Rating:  5/5 stars

Summary: Harry Potter is dead. In the aftermath of the war, in order to strengthen the might of the magical world, Voldemort enacts a repopulation effort. Hermione Granger has an Order secret, lost but hidden in her mind, so she is sent as an enslaved surrogate to the High Reeve until her mind can be cracked.

My Thoughts: Y’all. Okay. This is ~technically~ a Harry Potter fanfiction but it’s 925 pages lol and so many people have read it that it has more than 100K ratings on Goodreads. A 4.6 rating, if you must know. This is definitely a darker book and intended for 18+ readers. There are scenes that depict sexual assault, rape, self-harm, torture, character death, and more. So please be vigilant about the content and trigger warnings before diving in. This story takes place after the second Wizarding War from Hermoine Granger’s perspective, but it’s as if Voldemort and the Death Eaters won instead of Harry Potter and Dumbledore’s Army. When I say I could not put this book down, I am not exaggerating. I kept thwarting minor responsibilities just so I could keep reading. Manacled is a beautifully written reimagined story that explores the complex relationship that Hermoine and Draco Malfoy develop during the war and in its aftermath. To put it plainly, this was incredibly immersive and, I think, nailed who these characters would be in their mid-20s after experiencing such deep, haunting trauma. It was an emotional rollercoaster as the book transitioned from present day in the Malfoy Manor to flashbacks from two years ago during the war where we learn how Hermoine and Draco became connected. Despite such a haunting journey, I was glad the ending provided an a-typical happy ending. Honestly, this book will be living rent free in my brain for years to come.

That’s it for December!

The third book in the Fourth Wing series comes out in January, so I’m planning to reread the second book again (Iron Flame) before my copy of Onyx Storm comes on the 21st. HOPEFULLY, my luck with good fantasy books bleeds into next month, but in terms of Iron Flame specifically, I was a little disappointed. So cheers to manifesting a kick ass Onyx Storm (and 2025)!

2024 Final Book Count: 153

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YOUR TURN! What book are you looking forward to most in 2025?