One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer there at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life.

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it.

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart.

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back.

Paperback, 401 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Berkley

4.5/5 stars

Canadian author Carley Fortune is an auto-read for me.  One Golden Summer released last year so yea I am a little behind, had to get this in before her new release next month.

The thing with this author is that she gets summer.  There is the cottage setting, the lake and slower pace.  I love that her books are set in Canada, mostly Ontario.  Seeing familiar places adds to the charm.

To aid in the recovery of her Nan, Alice takes her to a cottage in Barry's Bay.  A place that has history with her family.  Alice reflects about her time there as a teen.  This is where Charlie enters the picture, he might not remember her but she sure remembers him.

I liked each of the characters, Nan gave some nice comical relief, Charlie...well he was easy to like.  And Alice as she slowly comes out of her shell.  There is secrets for each of time and watching them come to light was an emotional journey.

I won't say too much about the plot about suffice that One Golden Summer is a story of healing, family, memories and realising you are stronger then you think.  I think my favorite by this author....so far.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.  #3

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Kindle Edition, 381 pages

Expected publication April 28, 2026

 by Love Inspired Trade

4/5 stars

I’ve only read one book by Jessica R. Patch before, Her Darkest Secret, which I loved. So I went into The Girl Upstairs with high expectations. Thankfully, this one delivered another suspenseful and engaging read.

From the start there’s an eerie, unsettling atmosphere with a house that practically feels like a character itself. The spooky vibe is strong throughout, and it really kept me on edge wondering what was going on behind the scenes.

I’ll admit it took me a little while to get fully engaged. The beginning felt somewhat slow, and there were quite a few characters to keep track of, which made it a bit harder to settle in. But once I hit the halfway mark I was completely hooked. From that point on, I couldn’t stop reading. I needed to know how everything was going to come together.  

The Girl Upstairs is a creepy, suspense filled read that rewarded my patience. Rather then just a love story (it is published by Love Inspired Trade after all), it is a suspense mystery with many layers.  And to top it off it had a conclusion that I could not figure out, but it fit together nicely.  Just like a puzzle when all the pieces are there - know what I mean?  I need to read more by this author.

My thanks to Love Inspired Trade for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier

Two sisters set sail on a bride ship from Normandy hoping to leave a curse behind them and find better lives in the wilds of 17th-century Quebec, only to meet a mysterious witch who forces them to confront the truth about magic—and their past.

Élisabeth Jossard boards a bride ship to New France with her sister Marthe, forced to start a new life after a scandal in her village in Normandy. She’s harbouring a dark secret and hopes that by coming to Montreal—the holiest place in the world, she’s been told—the saints will hear her pleas and lift the curse that plagues her.

When Élisabeth’s prayers go unanswered and she is unable to banish the spirit she believes is tormenting her, Marthe encourages her to turn to a powerful witch for help, the enigmatic stowaway Jeanne Roy. But Jeanne has secrets of her own, and when she refuses to help, Élisabeth’s resentment kindles a dangerous fire.

Inspired by the tales of Canada’s Filles du Roi, The Winter Witch examines how lies, arrogance, and ignorance can lead to witch hunts in any society.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published January 27, 2026 

by Simon & Schuster

3.5/5 stars

It's been a while since I've read a Jennifer Chevalier, but it was the stunning cover that caught my eye.  Pair that with Canadian historical fiction and I was all in.

Inspired by the stories of the Filles du Roi, this story follows sisters Elisabeth and Marthe who are sent from France to New France, to marry and start new lives.  Different in personalities made for an interesting journey and also as they faced the realities of their new lives.  Elisabeth's belief that she is cursed was a darker side to this story but it also didn't grab me like I'm sure the author intended, maybe the repetitiveness of her thoughts got to me. 

I appreciated the historical elements and how the story had a theme of resilence, faith (though that wasn't central) and highlighted the dangers of ignorance - did these young women really know what they were in for.  

All in all an intriguing and unique take on early Canadian history with a darker edge.  It didn't completely pull me in, but still a worthwhile read.  If you enjoy HF with a touch of mystery and folklore this would work.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #14

Olive Oakes and the Haunted Carousel by Kalynn Bayron

This new spooky mystery series by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

Olive Oakes loves a good mystery. She keeps a notebook with her at all times, ready to jot down observations about anything that seems out of the ordinary. Along with her cousin Eli, Olive is always looking to follow the clues.

When Olive and her family visit a town called Whispering Woods, she uncovers a strange backstory to the traveling carnival that comes through the area once a year. With rumors of missing kids and ghost sightings, it's the perfect opportunity for Olive to investigate! The people of Whispering Woods are very secretive, but Olive is ready to solve the mystery of the haunted carousel.

Kindle Edition, 151 pages

Expected publication April 7, 2026

 Bloomsbury Children's Books

3.5/5 stars

I first discovered Kalynn Bayron when I read This Poison Heart, which I loved.  This, her latest, releases today is a middle grade story.

Olive Oakes and her sidekick Eli are a fun pair.  One free spirited and the other caution, making a great pairing for a fun read, which this was.  It was also a fast read coming in at 150 pages.  The start of a brand new series follows Olive and Eli who like to solve mysteries.  There was the right amount of mystery with some ghostly vibes, unreliable characters and some spooky situations.  It had that haunted feel without being too scary.  The mystery itself was unique, I was picking up clues just as Olive and Eli were.

All in all an enjoyable read, looking forward to seeing what Olive and Eli are up to next.

My thanks to Bloomsbury Children's Book for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 'New York Times' bestselling author of 'The Martian'.

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crew-mates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that's been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it's up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.

Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, 'PROJECT HAIL MARY is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival 'The Martian' - while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Audiobook, 16 hours, 10 minutes

First published May 4, 2021

by Amazon Audio

5/5

I’m not a sci-fi reader, I picked up the audio-book after seeing a reel by the narrator, Ray Porter. He explained that he doesn’t do a pre-read before narrating, he goes in cold, meaning he has no idea where the story is going. Because of that, all the tense, funny and witty moments felt completely genuine.

There was also a bit of FOMO when it came to the movie and all its hype, so yes I watched it the day after finishing the audio-book.

I won’t give away spoilers, but at its core the story follows Ryland Grace as he tries to save the world. The narrative shifts between the present day (on the spaceship) and the past, showing how he got there. These timelines are woven together seamlessly and kept me hooked at every opportunity. At roughly 16 hours long, I finished in just a few days, listening whenever I could.

Did the movie live up to the hype? Absolutely. A five-star read and a five-star movie. I can easily see myself rewatching it and relistening. My advice: watch it on the big screen for the full experience.

I’m now curious to read The Martian also by Andy Weir, though I was a little disappointed to learn it has a different narrator. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books narrated by Ray Porter.

My audiobook was obtained through a trial subscription to Amazon Music. It’s currently an Audible exclusive, so it’s only available through Audible or Amazon Music, which is a bit disappointing for those without subscriptions.

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

A nearly divorced housewife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to start questioning the strange antics of her classmates in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Retirement should mean long-awaited trips to the sapphire waters of Santorini or careening down a sand dune in Dubai. For sixty-three-year-old Mebel, retirement means her husband of more than forty years announcing that he's leaving her for their private chef. Mebel isn’t sure who's the bigger loss.

Not to worry, Mebel has the perfect plan: she’s going to win back her husband. No one knows what he needs better than her—after all, she's been anticipating his needs their whole marriage. And if he wants a wife who can cook (why else would he leave her for a chef?), she will simply go to cooking school. Luckily, class at the renowned Saint Honoré School of Culinary Arts in France starts in just four days!

However, Mebel quickly realizes that her culinary school is not in illustrious Paris but rather in England—and some small village outside of Oxford no less. Despite the less-than-warm welcome from her much younger classmates, Mebel manages to befriend Gemma, the breakout star of the program, who offers to help Mebel on their first day. When Gemma stops showing up to class, Mebel knows she must figure out what—or who—caused her friend’s sudden disappearance. After all, Mebel may not know the first thing about how to cut a potato, but she certainly knows how to identify a fraud, and there’s definitely something fishy going on.

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication April 28, 2026

 by Berkley

4/5 stars

This is my 2nd Jeese Q. Sutanto book, my previous read leaned more towards mystery, so this was something lighter with some humour sprinkled in.

After 40 years of marriage, 63 year old Mebel is stunned when her husband leaves her for a 24 year old chef.  Having been raised to be a trophy wife...well that's all she really knows.  But now she is forced to rethink things.

Determined to win her husband back through his stomach, Mebel enrolls in culinary school, which is funny in itself since she has never cook anything.  Trophy wives have people to do that for them.  Even though the story started a tad slowly, once it picked up I really enjoyed watching Ms. Mebel's journey.  Making new friends and gaining confidence.

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block, yea that is a mouthful, is a heartwarming story about friendship, reinvention and discovering life somethings takes you in different directions and that isn't always a bad thing.

My thanks to Berkley for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward

 From the author of l, WHEN THE WORLD FELL SILENT, comes a tale of secrets, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship.

Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.

Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.

Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.

As the ‘unsinkable' ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?

Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 25, 2025

 by One More Chapter

3.5/5 stars

My 2nd read by Donna Jones Alward who moves from Canadian historical fiction to one that does actually touch on it again.

A single storyline set on the RMS Titanic and that fateful voyage.  The story follows 2 best friends, Hannah Martin and Louisa Phillips.  Each with secrets and the hope that New York will be the start of fresh beginnings.

I enjoyed the Titanic setting, with its splendor and how it caters to the rich.  And yes I did have visions of the movie while reading it.  There were some familiar names woven in while staying true to history.  I liked getting to know both these women and slowly the hurts of the past came to life.  

Ship of Dreams is a story of friendship, secrets and starting over set against a tragic event in history. Knowing what was to come gave the story some tension that kept me turning the pages.

My thanks to the publisher for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine

2019: Lucy awakens in her ex-lover’s room in the middle of the night with her hands around his throat. Horrified, she flees to her sister’s house on the coast of New South Wales hoping Jess can help explain the vivid dreams that preceded the attack—but her sister is missing. As Lucy waits for her return, she starts to unearth strange rumours about Jess’s town—tales of numerous missing men, spread over decades. A baby abandoned in a sea-swept cave. Whispers of women’s voices on the waves. All the while, her dreams start to feel closer than ever.

1800: Mary and Eliza are torn from their loving home in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship heading for Australia. As the boat takes them farther and farther away from all they know, they begin to notice unexplainable changes in their bodies.

A breathtaking tale of female resilience, The Sirens is an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea.

Paperback, 368 pages

Published February 3, 2026

 by St. Martin's Griffin

3.5/5 stars

I enjoyed Emilia Hart’s previous novel, Weyward, I was curious to pick this one up. This ended up being a bit of a hybrid read for me, switching between the physical book and the audiobook.

The story moves between timelines, it's one of my favourite formats.  The current timeline follows Lucy as she arrives in a small Australian coastal town searching for her sister, Jess. It doesn't take long for her to realize something is amiss since Jess is no where to be found.  Alongside this storyline is a historical thread set in the early 1800s involving twin sisters being transported by ship to Australia. As the novel unfolds, the connection between these timelines slowly comes to light.

I always enjoy an Australian setting, the coastal landscape here adds a wonderfully eerie and atmospheric feel to the story. The sea, local folklore and the slow revealing of secrets all help build the mystery. This was a slow paced story that kept me guessing and taken by surprise with the ending, the merging of storylines worked.  Nice build up Emilia Hart.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #12

Brian's Hunt by Gary Paulsen

Millions of readers of Hatchet, The River, Brian’s Winter, and Brian’s Return know that Brian Robeson is at home in the Canadian wilderness. He has stood up to the challenge of surviving alone in the woods. He prefers being on his own in the natural world to civilization.

When Brian finds a dog one night, a dog that is wounded and whimpering, he senses danger. The dog is badly hurt, and as Brian cares for it, he worries about his Cree friends who live north of his camp. His instincts tell him to head north, quickly. 

With his new companion at his side, and with a terrible, growing sense of unease, he sets out to learn what happened. He sets out on the hunt.

Paperback, 112 pages

Audiobook, 2 hours, 23 minutes

Published October 11, 2005

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Hunt is the final installment in the series that began with Hatchet, it follows Brian Robeson and his continued connection to with nature.

Brian returns to the place where he feels most at home,  the Canadian wilderness. When he comes across a badly injured dog, it sets him on a course of investigation and a tragic discovery.

Gary Paulsen has always had a way of bringing the wilderness to life. The survival details and Brian’s respect for the natural world are some of the things that made this series memorable in the first place.

Again, it was nice returning to Brian’s story, to see how his experiences in the outdoors have shaped him. While it felt a bit shorter and more straightforward than some of the earlier books, it still felt like a fitting final chapter to Brian’s journey.

I listened to the audiobook of this one, its a quick read whether read or listened to.

I obtained the audiobook via CloudLibrary

Secrets of the Starlit Sea by Santa Montefiore

The moment Pixie Tate steps inside the opulent Aldershoff Hotel in Manhattan, one of the last relics of New York's Gilded Age, she senses instantly that its elegant walls hide a dark secret.

Pixie knows that she must use her unique gift to travel back in time in order to discover the mysteries of the past, and as she slips back over a hundred years, she's shocked to find herself in the midst of one of the most famous events in history.

As the stars twinkle overhead, Pixie realises that time is running out. But when she comes face-to-face with a man she thought she'd lost forever, will she keep her promise to save only the souls she should - or is it too late, and has she already changed the future?

Paperback, 480 pages

Expected publication March 17, 2026

 by Simon & Schuster

5/5 stars

Secrets of the Starlit Sea  is the 2nd book in the Timeslider Series, it features Pixie Tate and solidifies why Santa Montefiore is one of my go-to authors.

This series began with Shadows in the Moonlight, a great introduction to Pixie and her unusual gift - the ability to slip through time to help spirits resolve unfinished business.  I highly recommend going back to the beginning, but this could be read on its own, there is somethings carried over.

In this book things begin when a feisty 98 year-old woman pulls out a Ouija board, she wants to summon her father and discover the location of a priceless jewel, but instead she has summoned a rather disgruntled spirit.  And thus the action begins.

As Pixie slips back through time searching for answers, she finds herself transported to a real moment in history.  I won't say when exactly since the blurb keeps it a mystery also.  Immersed in a world of immense wealth, forbidden love and a glittering society.  She has to be careful navigating her role knowing even the smallest action can risk changing history.

Secrets of the Starlet Sea was a captivating read, it was atmospheric with vivid descriptions of the era, mysterious and heartbreaking.  With this being a planned trilogy, I can't wait to see what happens next for Pixie Tate.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a print ARC in exchange for a honest review.