Spotlight: The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg

Brandon Sanderson calls Charlie "a vibrant writer with an excellent voice and great world building."

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The kingdom of Cansere is on the brink of war. Young men are conscripted from their homes, and a royal decree from the queen has made healing the only legal form of craftlock. Nym, a healer and beekeeper, is the sole provider for her family of seven now that her younger brother has been sent to the warfront. But when a letter comes from the queen, summoning Nym to the palace to heal Prince Renn, the kingdom’s ailing shut-in, Nym finds herself making the tumultuous journey from her family’s apiary to the capital city. Nym is determined to fail the queen’s mission and return to her younger siblings as soon as she can.

But escaping the castle’s hold isn’t as easy as failing a simple test. Prince Renn is cold and distant, and his illness is nothing like Nym has ever seen before, nothing she could ever imagine treating. In a moment of connection with Prince Renn, Nym manages to remedy the faintest symptom of his ailment―only to discover that no healer before has made such progress. Forced to become the prince’s official healer and a ward of the castle, and with her only hope of returning to her family hinging on the prince’s recovery, Nym must navigate the castle’s cruel and twisted court and uncover the haunting truth behind Prince Renn’s illness―even as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to him.

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Kindle Edition, 328 pages

Published September 2, 2025

Charlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of fantasy and romance fiction, including the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series, and writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg.


She is published in over twenty languages and is a Goodreads Choice Award, ALA, and RITA finalist. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names. A BYU alumna, she discovered in her thirties that she’s actually a cat person. She lives with her family in Utah.

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

When a father goes missing, his family's desperate search leads them to question everything they know about him and one another--both a riveting page-turner and a deeply moving portrait of a family in crisis from the award-winning author of Miracle Creek.

"We didn't call the police right away." Those are the first words of this extraordinary novel about a biracial Korean-American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing.

Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything--which is why she isn't initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don't return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia's brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.

What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, race, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another.

Hardcover, 387 pages

Audiobook, 14 hours, 4 minutes

Published August 29, 2023

 by Hogarth/Random House Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was my first time reading a Angie Kim novel.  I was intrigued by the blurb and grabbed when it became available through my BOTM account.  

Happiness Falls begins with the sudden disappearance of Mia's father during what should have been an ordinary day. The story is narrated by Mia, one of the teenage twins, whose sharp and sometimes unreliable voice guided me through the search for answers. What complicates the situation further is that her younger brother, Eugene, who was the last to see their father, has a rare genetic condition that makes him unable to speak. His silence adds another layer of tension, as the family struggles to interpret what he knows and cannot say.

This was a thought-provoking exploration of family bonds, communication and the secrets people keep from each other. Though the mystery of the father’s disappearance is what drives the plot forward, the heart of the novel lies in how each member of the family processes this time of uncertainty and grief.

This was a gripping story with meaningful themes, though the pacing felt uneven at times and occasionally pulled me out of the story. But still, it was a story that opened my eyes to the different layers, seeing through someone elses eyes and felting empathy for an immigrant family, their language barriers and the special bonds with a son/brother with special needs.

Happiness Falls is an original, layered story that is part mystery, part family drama, one that still lingers even though I finished last month.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #41

Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli

Meghan, Brecia, and Skye have just one thing in common.

They were all murdered by the same man.

He hunted them online, masquerading as an eligible bachelor. Then he played the perfect gentleman, a thick layer of charm and a thousand-watt smile hiding the fact that his first dates end in shallow graves.

He’s gotten away with murder three times now.

The only thing that might keep him from killing again? The women he murdered.

Meghan, Brecia, and Skye might be dead, but they’re not gone. They’ve found each other. And they won’t rest until they find a way to stop him.

The haunt is on.

Kindle Edition, 295 pages

Original Published April 15, 2022 

by Dynamite Books

4.5/5 stars

Ask for Andrea was an intense, gripping and heartbreaking read. This was my introduction to Noelle W. Ihli and it has left its mark.  

The premise is chilling: three young women, strangers to one another yet each find themselves in vulnerable situations that lead to tragic ends. Though the story jumps around quite a bit it was never hard to follow and the shifting perspectives only added to the tension. As the story unfolds I listened to their voices as they relived what they endured and how their lives intersected in unexpected ways. It was haunting to witness, especially as their final moments were revealed. It's not graphic but more heartbreaking.

This isn’t a light story by any means, but it’s powerful and deeply affecting. Noelle W. Ihli delivers a suspenseful narrative with raw emotional depth, honoring the voices of her characters while keeping me on edge.

My thanks to Keningston Publishing for reaching out with a digital arc and introducing me to this new-to-me author.

The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

The open road beckons.
A chance for them to reconnect.
Then they make a fatal mistake.

It’s the summer of 1976 and Alice and Tom set out on the remote Canadian highways in their new RV, hoping to heal their broken hearts after a devastating tragedy.

They’ve planned the trip perfectly, taken care of every detail. Then they meet two young hitchhikers down on their luck and offer them a ride. But Simon and Jenny aren’t what they seem. They’ve left a trail of blood, destruction, and madness behind them.

Now Alice and Tom are trapped, prisoners in a deadly game, with nowhere to turn. As the tension builds, the lines blur, and the question becomes, In whose heart does evil truly lie? What secrets are Jenny and Simon hiding? And who will live another day?

A chilling, twist-laden ride to the final page, THE HITCHHIKERS is that rare novel that will break your heart as well as hold you in suspense. The author of the classic thrillers STILL MISSING and THOSE GIRLS has delivered her next breathtaking novel.

Kindle Edition, 379 pages

Expected publication October 7, 2025 

by St. Martin's Press

3/5 stars

Chevy Stevens has long been an auto-read author for me, and one I’ve managed to stay current with over the years. She’s one of those writers I can always count on for an intriguing premise and The Hitchhikers certainly started out with one that had me curious from the get-go.

A chance meeting changed everything for Alice and Tom, especially when they discover who Simon and Jenny really are. Taking place in the 1970's was a refreshing change and getting the different points of view rounded things out nicely. That being said, while the setup was strong I found parts of the story a bit repetitive and the pacing slow at times. Once the last quarter hit, the tension really picked up and I ended up binging the final 25%, and the ending definitely took me by surprise (well, aside from a few unanswered questions that lingered).

What I did enjoy was the strong Canadian setting. Having traveled to some of those same location myself, it wasn’t hard for me to visualize it and that made the backdrop feel even more vivid and authentic. Despite some of my struggles with the flow, there’s no denying Stevens knows how to capture a sense of place.

With all the glowing reviews out there please take this one with a grain of salt. For me, The Hitchhikers landed at 3 stars,  Chevy Stevens remains an author I’ll continue to follow and I look forward to seeing where her next book takes me.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

Two feuding co-stars in a Jane Austen film adaptation accidentally travel back in time to the Regency Era in this delightfully clever and riotously funny debut

Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It's not just the role of a lifetime, but it’s also her last chance to prove herself as a serious actress (no easy feat after being fired from her last TV gig) and more importantly, it’s her opportunity to honor her mom, who was the biggest fan of Jane Austen ever. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way—well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour.

A serious British method actor, Hugh wants nothing to do with Tess (whose Teen Choice Awards somehow don’t quite compare to his BAFTA nominations). Hugh is a type-A, no-nonsense, Royal Academy prodigy, whereas Tess is big-hearted, a little reckless, and admittedly, kind of a mess. But the film needs chemistry—and Tess’s career depends on it.

Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era. 200 years in the past with only each other to rely on, Tess and Hugh need to ad-lib their way through the Regency period in order to make it back home, and hopefully not screw up history along the way. But if a certain someone looks particularly dashing in those 19th century breeches…well, Tess won’t be complaining.

A wickedly funny, delightfully charming story, The Austen Affair is a tribute to Jane Austen, second chances, and love across the space-time continuum.

Audiobook, 10 hours, 31 minutes

Published September 16, 2025 

by St. Martin's Griffin

4/5

I’ll confess right up front that I am not a big Jane Austen fan, and I usually avoid Austen retellings altogether. But The Austen Affair managed to win me over. It has that Austen-inspired charm without feeling heavy-handed.

Tess Bright is still navigating her grief after losing her mother. She’s someone I connected with, her determination and vulnerability made her an interesting character. .Then there’s Hugh, someone rough around the edges and seems to have lost all sense of joy in life. As their paths cross it was enjoyable to witness how this story played out.  It was a complicated relationship especially when they find themselves stranded in Jane Austen era.

The Austen Affair is a story of family, grief and determination. There is witty dialogue and heartfelt moments without going overboard for this non Jane Austen reader while at the same time peeking my interest into some of her books  

I listened to the audiobook, the narration was excellent, it enhanced the story.  I ended up finishing the whole thing within just 24 hours.

Overall, The Austen Affair was a delightful surprise and a solid read for me. It’s charming, smart and heartfelt, with characters you can root for and a plot that kept me turning pages (or in my case, listening straight through).

My thanks to Macmillan Audio for advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Shadows in the Moonlight by Santa Montefiore

To settle the restless ghost haunting an English manor in the present day, timeshifter Pixie Tate travels to the Victorian era to solve the mystery of a missing child. There, she accidentally meets the love of her life. 

A restless ghost. A forbidden love. An impossible choice…

When Pixie Tate is summoned to the wild Cornish coast to unravel a curious mystery at the stately St Sidwell Manor, she knows that something quite extraordinary must be hiding in its shadows.

Over one hundred years ago, in the dark of night, a child vanished from his bed never to be seen again—and Pixie must now discover the truth of those final moonlit hours.

As she loses herself in the past, secrets are revealed, love affairs exposed and, ultimately, Pixie will be forced to make a devastating choice that will change her life forever...

Paperback, 368 pages

Published August 19, 2025

 by Simon & Schuster

4/5 stars

Shadows in the Moonlight is set against the sweeping beauty of the English countryside, a story that revolves around an old estate that holds secrets spanning generations. When the present collides with the past family mysteries that have long been buried begin to surface, changing the lives of those in the modern day.

Santa Montifore has yet to disappoint me.  She can weave between timelines smoothly, blending the historical storyline with the present. Her characters are unique and I loved Pixie Tate.  She is the thread that connects these 2 timelines with warmth, wisdom and some mysticism. 

Not only is the past richly drawn, full of atmosphere and detail, but the present day has relatable characters wondering if it was a huge mistake to move to this manor in the dead of winter. 

Montefiore’s descriptive writing shines here, the moonlit gardens, ancient halls and rolling countryside all felt vivid and alive, pulling me deeper into the story. Actually the estate itself almost became a character, with its hidden corners and echoes of history.

Shadows in the Moonlight is a story about how the past lingers and continues to shape the present and how secrets - no matter how deeply buried - always find their way back. 

I recommend this to readers who love a good dual timelines story with historical family dramas.

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

The Ghost of Wreckers Cove by Angelica Del Campo

Two young girls and their father move next to an abandoned lighthouse, where the girls meet a strange new friend and work together to try to solve the mysteries of Wreckers Cove.

Eisner award-winning cartoonist Liniers and writer Angelica del Campo recreate the world of 19th century lighthouse keepers in a delightful supernatural tale about ghosts and shipwrecks, inspired by the real-life story of a heroic young woman who tended an isolated Maine lighthouse many years ago. 

Two young sisters Cristina and Martha and their dad, move to a summer home in a small coastal town located near an old nonworking lighthouse. As the two sisters explore the beach and the old lighthouse, they encounter a friendly, albeit unusual, red-haired girl, who turns out to be a ghostly local legend with a heartbreaking story shrouded in mystery.

Kindle Edition, 185 pages

Published November 8, 2022

 by John Lind Publishing and Media

3.5/5 stars

The Ghost of Wreckers Cove is a middle grade graphic novel that blends adventure, history and just the right amount of the supernatural. It follows a grieving father and his two daughters who come to the cove hoping for a fresh start, only to discover much more than they bargained for. The seaside setting is wonderfully atmospheric, mysterious and a little eerie, yet still safe enough for younger readers to enjoy.

I liked how the story kept its focus on family and friendship at the heart of this adventure. The bond between the girls and their dad felt genuine and the ghostly mystery added suspense without overshadowing the emotional core. While it didn’t completely sweep me away, it was still an engaging and heartfelt read. I think middle grade readers who enjoy a mix of family, courage and a little spookiness will have fun with this one.

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

Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn

From the bestselling author of In an Instant comes a deeply moving novel following the transformative journeys of two women walking entwined paths on a legendary route across Europe a generation apart.

Reina Watkins lost her father when she was eight. Seventeen years later, she still carries that grief. When her budding journalism career takes an unexpected turn, it leads her to the ancient five-hundred-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. Now she finds herself embarking on the same pilgrimage that her father made at her age, unaware of how profoundly it will change her.

Back in 1997, Isabelle Vidal is a teenager on the run. Fleeing from her boarding school, she heads straight for the Way of Saint James. She’s heard the Camino will provide. And so it does, in the form of a handsome young American and the promise of a new life. But it could all fall apart if her troubles catch up with her.

One woman is coming to grips with her past; the other is grasping for her future. But as each treads the same hallowed trail, it will knot their destinies together in a most miraculous way.

Kindle Edition, 295 pages

Expected publication October 1, 2025

 by Lake Union Publishing

4/5 stars

I enjoyed Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn and jumped at the chance to review this her latest.  Call of the Camino was a rewarding read. Set along the famous Camino de Santiago, this novel is as much about the journey of the soul as it is about the miles walked. I was immediately pulled into the pilgrimage atmosphere with its breathtaking landscapes, the mix of strangers becoming companions, and the way each step seemed to bring the characters closer to their truths.

Layered with multiple perspectives each character carried its own secrets and struggles and slowly watching these unfold added a richness to the story and emotional depth. The central mystery kept me turning the pages,  I enjoyed how the past and present wove together seamlessly, giving the book a sense of both urgency and reflection. It’s the kind of story that makes you think about your own journey and what you carry with you along the way.

Like I said this is only the second book I’ve read by Suzanne Redfearn, but it’s convinced me to dive deeper into her backlist. If Call of the Camino is any indication, there are many more powerful, heartfelt stories waiting.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard comes The Executioners Three, a mystery filled with rivalry, romance, best friends, and a gruesome curse that dates back centuries.

Freddie Gellar didn't mean to get half the rival high school arrested. She’d simply heard shrieks coming from the woods, so she’d called the cops like any good human would do. How was she supposed to know it was just kids partying?

Except the next day, a body is found. And while the local sheriff might call it suicide, Freddie's instincts tell her otherwise. So, like the aspiring sleuth (and true X-Files aficionado) she is, Freddie sets out to prove there's a murderer at large.

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Audiobook, 9 hours, 12 minutes

Published August 26, 2025

 by Tor Teen and Mcmillan Audio

4/5 stars

I was attracted to The Executioners Three because of the cover which was quickly followed up with the blurb. 

I was drawn within the first couple of chapters.  With a cast of unreliable characters and that supernatural element that drew on past events. This was my kind of mystery that had tension and suspense.  Add in some good banter and I was in my happy place. 

Told from a number of different view points rounded everything out, each one added a fresh layer and kept me piecing things together in new ways. This unique mystery kept me guessing all the way through, there were plenty of twists that made me want to keep turning the pages. The past storyline wove in nicely creating a Gothic feel. Freddie is a fun character, she is creative and kinda fun to hang out with.

Susan Dennard is a new author for me, I will be checking out her backlist.

My thanks to Tor Teens and Mcmillan Audio for digital arcs in exchange for a honest review.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

From Newbery Honoree and E. B. White Award–winning author Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is a spellbinding modern-day masterpiece about immortality, friendship, and growing up that’s sure to be an all-time favorite for every generation.

What if you could live forever? In this timeless story young Winnie Foster learns of a hidden spring in a nearby wood and meets the Tuck family, whose members reveal their astonishing discovery of the spring’s life-changing power. Now Winnie must decide what to do with her newfound knowledge—and the Tucks must decide what to do with her. But it’s not just the curious girl who is interested in their remarkable tale. A suspicious stranger is also searching for the Tucks, and he will stop at nothing until he finds them and uncovers their secret.

Audiobook, 3 hours, 10 minutes

Expected publication September 2, 2025

 by Macmillan Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was my first time experiencing Tuck Everlasting, having heard about it I didn't know what it was about so went in blind. Considered a modern classic I was excited to read...well I listened to the audiobook.  The special 50th anniversary edition releases Sept 2.

Tuck Everlasting is a gentle story of life, mortality and what it means to truly live. Sounds like a heavy load but it wasn't really. The narration was clear, though maybe at times a little too subdued. I didn't really feel the key emotional moments, might have been different if I had read the book.  The tension lacked somewhat, I wasn't drawn in like I had hoped. The story itself was interesting enough and for middle grade readers it fits the bill. There is adventure, mystery and family all packed in.

It isn't a long audiobook and the book itself is only 148 pages, a nice way to spend a rainy (or hot, hot) afternoon.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio for an e-audio in exchange for a honest review.

The Portal Keeper by David Alexander Robertson

Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in the fourth adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series, now in paperback.

While exploring World's End, an area in Aski they've just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it's getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. 

Forever.

Paperback, 256 pages

Audiobook, 7 hours, 35 minutes

Published July 2, 2024

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

The Portal Keeper, is the 4th book the Misewa Saga. It's another imaginative and heartfelt journey into the richly woven world of Indigenous storytelling. Robertson continues to blend fantasy and Cree culture in a way that feels both magical and meaningful.

Morgan and Eli continue into new realms and face fresh challenges that test their courage, wisdom and friendship. Being the 4th book I wondered what could be next and again the Misewa world expands in new ways  that offer new characters and settings.

I don't really want to say too much, especially for those that haven't started this series.  Book 6 just released today.  Suffice to say this is an adventure filled series with emotion and cultural insight.  I definitely recommend reading this series in order.  Though written for the middle grade readers this adult is enjoying this series.

This book is part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #40

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it's too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden–working from home that day–has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 29, 2025

 by Doubleday Canada

4.5/5 stars

Shari Lapena’s She Didn’t See It Coming was a gripping page‑turner that was a fast paced story that opened with a chilling twist: Bryden, a devoted mother and wife vanishes mysteriously from her upscale condominium while working from home. Her keys, phone, and laptop are all in place, everything suggests she never left...but she’s nowhere to be found.

The novel flows with multiple viewpoints and as suspicion grow throughout the building as an investigator pieces together secrets that some want to keep secret. What kept me reading was the premise, it was captivating in the sense of Bryden's portrayed perfect life which makes her disappearance baffling. The characters were flawed but authentic.  The plot I found to be tight, the twists were cleverly executed - I've come to expect that with Lapena's books.

She Didn't See It Coming isn't just a suspense mystery, it's also a story of family and trust. In the end I grabbed the audiobook through my Spodify account so I could listen to the last half, highly recommend both formats.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #39

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

One night in the woods
A party gone wrong
A body discovered at sunrise

He murdered her at the folly on their wedding day, left her body for the crows. They say she haunts the woods now, a girl in a white dress …

Everyone in the small town of Thorncombe knows the tales of the haunted woods where the birds don’t sing and a girl in a white dress roams, luring people to their deaths. But when a girl in white is found dead the morning after Halloween, her body carefully arranged at the bottom of an old stone folly, the community is thrown into turmoil.

With a teenage daughter of his own, police detective Ben Chase knows how high the stakes are. Was the girl the victim of a party prank gone wrong, or does her death represent something more sinister and ritualistic?

As the investigation unfolds and the noose tightens around Chase’s own family, the only thing anyone can be sure of is that no one is safe until this violent killer is caught.

Kindle Edition, 419 pages

Publishing on August 19, 2025

by Atria Books

4.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Hannah Richell novel and I can say it won't be my last.

One Dark Night  begins with the chilling discovery after a Halloween gathering near an elite boarding school. What follows is far more than a mystery, it’s a layered, character-driven story about the effects of trauma, fractured relationships and the secrets families keep.

Told from multiple povs - including a detective, his estranged wife, and their teenage daughter - the novel slowly unpacks the events of that fateful night. Richell does an exceptional job balancing suspense with tension and emotion that drew me into a world where guilt, grief, and love all exist. It was atmospheric giving that gothic and moody vibe. 

One Dark Night was a suspenseful read that wasn't just focused as a whodunit but delves into themes of family dynamics, privilege and the past. As for the whodunit part, it kept me guessing right to the end. Definitely recommend this one, it sure helped me out of a reading slump.

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Too Old for This by Samantha Downing

A retired serial killer’s quiet life is upended by an unexpected visitor. To protect her secret, there’s only one option left—what’s another murder? From bestselling author Samantha Downing.

Lottie Jones thought her crimes were behind her.

Decades earlier, she changed her identity and tucked herself away in a small town. Her most exciting nights are the weekly bingo games at the local church and gossiping with her friends.

When investigative journalist Plum Dixon shows up on her doorstep asking questions about Lottie’s past and specifically her involvement with numerous unsolved cases, well, Lottie just can’t have that.

But getting away with murder is hard enough when you’re young. And when Lottie receives another annoying knock on the door, she realizes this crime might just be the death of her…

Kindle Edition, 395 pages

Expected publication August 12, 2025

 by Berkley

4.5/5 stars

Too Old For This was a captivating read as were my previous reads by Samantha Downing. She writes about morally grey characters with unpredictable plots.

Lottie Jones she is more than a flawed protagonist, she is calculated, complex and oddly compelling. I was never quite was sure if I should root for her or not.  Her motivations were rooted in the past, which the author wove seamlessly into the present day narrative.  She is also elder, plays weekly bingo with her church friends and looking at places to live out her final years. A retired serial killer you say...a very interesting story.

Too Old For This is a story of unfinished business, buried secrets and the deadly consequences of not letting the past stay in the past.  There was lots of tension and, of course, twists...many surprises along the way. Yes a few parts might have felt over the top but Downing makes it work without realizing how implausible some things might sound.  All in all this was a binge-worthy read that keep me reading just one more chapter (pun intended).

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

The Weirdies by Michael Buckley

This is a very, very sad story. The characters suffer terrible tragedies. People die in unspeakable ways. Only a truly horrible person would be amused by their misfortune.

Nevertheless, it is kind of funny.

My advice is that you listen to this all by yourself. People can be judgy.

If you’re a fan of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Edward Scissorhands, or the darkest bits of Roald Dahl, the Weirdie triplets - Barnacle, Garlic, and Melancholy - will feel like old friends.

 After being left behind when the entire estate of Deadeye Manor is packed up for a doomed vacation cruise, the triplets have to learn how to fend for themselves. (When a staff of 200 servants has taken care of your every need, even brushing your own teeth is a mountainous task.) 

From their time at the Our Lady of the Perpetual Side-Eye Orphanage to their adoptive home on picture-perfect Sunshine Circle, the Weirdies have a lot to learn about the world...but, at least, they have each other.

Audiobook, 1 hours, 47 minutes

Published November 19, 2020

by Audible Originals

4/5 stars

The Weirdies is a wild and crazy ride that blends humor, mystery and just the right amount of weirdness. 

It follows the life of three siblings, triplets as a matter of fact, named Barnacle, Garlic and Melancholy. After they are abandoned in their home, meaning their parents have left along with the 200 servants that serve them. They are taken into an orphanage and then handed off to a kind woman at a cheerful place called Sunshine Circle. 

I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Kate Winslet, she did a spectacular job bringing the whole situation to life while emphasizing the wit and laugh out loud moments along with the bizarre twists that happen.

This is the first book in a series called The Weirdies, it’s a story about being different to put it mildly, and it’s great for readers that love characters that are...well different. This will appeal to fans of the Series for Unfortunate Events.

 Like I said, I listened to the audiobook which I got through Audible Originals, it's a freebie. I am looking forward to book 2, The Weirdies Get Weirder (again read by Kate Kinslet) and #3 The Weirdies: Maybe This is a Bit Too Weirder (read by Helena Bonham Carter). They come in at under two hours in length.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love.

 
Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora - each needing escape - impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches.

Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning—and becoming an adventure she never expected.

Kindle Edition, 377 pages 

Expected publication August 5, 2025

  by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a warm and quietly engaging story that takes place as rumblings of war begin and continue through the next 5 years. 

Eddie Endicott, recently divorced - a scandalous status for a woman in that age - finds herself searching for meaning and freedom in a time that offered little of either to women. Her journey takes her to a fictional village on the French coast, it's a great setting, it is charming and made me want to visit. There, she reconnects with herself and builds new bonds with Dora and Mavis, two women also quietly pushing back against the roles society has forced upon them.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a story of friendship, trust and self discovery. It explores the lingering effects of the war with sensitivity.  The war years, with it's historical context help shape the characters’ choices, relationships and courage to change. While the pacing was a tad slow and some resolutions a bit too neat, the novel’s heart lies in its depiction of women taking charge of their lives, often for the first time, highlighting it's not too late to go after what you want in life.

My thanks to Lake Union for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

June, 1975.

The Taylor family shatters in a single night when two teenage siblings are found dead in their own home. The only surviving sibling, Vincent, never shakes the whispers and accusations that he was the one who killed them. Decades later, the legend only grows as his career as a horror writer skyrockets.

Ghostwriter Olivia Dumont has spent her entire professional life hiding the fact that she is the only child of Vincent Taylor. Now on the brink of financial ruin, she's offered a job to ghostwrite her father's last book. What she doesn't know, though, is that this project is another one of his lies. Because it's not another horror novel he wants her to write.

After fifty years of silence, Vincent Taylor is finally ready to talk about what really happened that night in 1975.

Kindle Edition, 368 pages, 

Published June 3, 2025 

by Sourcebooks Landmark

4.5/5 stars

Julie Clark has been a go-to author since reading The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell. She knows how to grab and keep my attention.  The Ghostwriter is no except, it is a well written, emotionally charged thriller that blends suspense along with a fractured father-daughter relationship. 

The Ghostwriter is told with two timelines, that skillfully weaves the past and present to unravel a decades-old mystery that continues to haunt those left behind.

Estranged from her father, Olivia is reluctantly pulled back into his world when she’s hired to help write his memoir. Long suspected, though never charged in the brutal murder of his two younger siblings many years ago, Olivia left the past and here the past has finally caught up with her.

The Ghostwriter is a story of secrets, many, many secrets that opens past hurts and the only way to combat them is ultimately to face them.  This was an addicting read that alternates between the present-day memoir and the past events leading up to the murders.  It was intricately woven, creating a layered, suspenseful story where the truth feels just out of reach. Slowly unraveling of both the murder case and the emotional distance between father and daughter was handled nicely bringing a conclusion with some surprises.  I highly recommend The Ghostwriter if you like an addicting read with twists and turns.

This book was from my Kindle library.

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Sarah Beth Durst invites you to her new standalone novel nestled on a far-away island brimming with singing flowers, honey cakes, and honeyed love. The hardcover edition features beautiful sprayed edges.

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Funny, kind, and forgiving, The Enchanted Greenhouse is a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.

Kindle Edition, 375 pages

Audiobook, 13 hours, 32 minutes

Published July 15, 2025

 by Tor Publishing/Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

Sarah Beth Durst has long been one of my favorite YA fantasy authors and one I am trying to get caught up on her backlist. This, her latest release, The Enchanted Greenhouse is yet another charming addition to her growing collection of cozy fantasy stories. While technically a sequel to The Spellshop, this book easily stands on its own, but I highly recommend it not just for the charm and fun story but a tad of an introduction to Chaz - a magical spider plant.

The Enchanted Greenhouse isn’t a spicy or high-stakes epic fantasy but rather it’s a gentle, heartfelt tale that’s perfect for those who prefer their magic with more tea and introspection than swords and steamy romance. Set in a magical greenhouse brimming with unusual plants there is mystery, secrets and some suspense.  Maybe even a touch of romance. 

As Terlu tries to rebuild her life the past stays front and center as she fears being caught and the consequences. This is a story with themes of loneliness, family estrangement and the challenge of letting go of the past. It’s all wrapped in an enchanting setting that feels like a place you’d want to escape to yourself - maybe a nice reading spot. The characters are endearing, unique and fun.

A comforting read that I to readers of cozy fantasy and anyone looking for a magical escape with some emotional depth.

My thanks to both Tor Publishing and Macmillan Audio for e-arcs in exchange for a honest review.

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher

She's ready for adventure--isn't she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she's spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It's the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she's eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn't as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain--and the bears--better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. But they're not the only ones with an interest in the park's most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

Audiobook,  8 hours, 50 minutes

Published May 8, 2025

by Recorded Books

4/5 stars

As a longtime Suzanne Woods Fisher fan, I dove into Capture the Moment and knew she wouldn't disappoint. 

The story kicks off in Grand Teton National Park, where Kate Cunningham, a zoo photographer ventures into the wild for the first time.  Her goal is to capture a picture of Grizzly Bear #399, a picture that could launch a new direction for her in photography.  Maybe, just maybe grab the attention of National Geographic. She’s enthusiastic, but as she soon finds out photographing a legendary bear in its natural habitat is nothing like shooting in a zoo. It doesn't take long before she is known as the zoo girl.

Then there is the rugged, terrain-savvy seasonal park ranger with tracking skills to match his good looks. Along with some great support characters like Maisie (the talkative thirteen-year-old) and Frankie (a moody teen intern) giving some great balance. Together they trek through breathtaking landscapes, waiting and watching for the perfect photo.

But it’s not all sunshine and wildlife: someone else is stalking Bear 399 with less noble motives. Suspense builds for Kate as this multi layer story deals with a lurking poacher and more. Ultimately this is a story of self‑discovery as Kate journeys from zoo girl to a wildlife photographer willing to take bold steps to get what she wants while be mocked and challenged along the way.

Capture the Moment is Christian Fiction with authentic characters, a unique settings and great storytelling, which is why Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my go‑to authors.

This audiobook was obtained through my Everand subscription.

Death Row by Freida McFadden

With all hope of an appeal fading away, the fate of a condemned murderess takes a shocking turn in a breathtaking short story.

Talia Kemper is on death row for murdering her husband. She had an alibi and no known motive, yet Talia’s unwavering protestations of innocence have always been ignored. Then one day in the visiting area, she sees a recognizable stranger she’s certain is her husband. It turns out the man she’s been convicted of killing may not be dead after all. But as the days tick away toward Talia’s execution, what will it take for her to be believed?

Freida McFadden’s Death Row is part of Alibis, a collection of stories about lies, truth, and deception. It’s just a matter of what you can get away with. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Kindle Edition, 74 pages

Published June 1, 2025

 by Amazon Original Stories

2/5 stars

Freida McFadden is an author I've been wanting to read in what seems like forever.  So why not start with a short story.  Death Row was part of Amazon 1st Reads for the month of May - yea I'm a little behind.

Death Row is a fast paced story that had me captivated. The story builds tension as it travels back and forth in time with an intriguing setup. However, the ending left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. It lacked the clarity or twist I was hoping for, which took away from the overall impact. A decent read, but as far as short stories go this one would have worked better if it was longer and the author could really expand on the premise. 

My thanks to Amazon 1st Reads for a kindle edition in exchange for a honest review.

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

The first installment of the Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel acclaimed as “the most affecting and successful narrative ever done about the Holocaust” (Wall Street Journal) and “the first masterpiece in comic book history” (The New Yorker).

A brutally moving work of art—widely hailed as the greatest graphic novel ever written—Maus recounts the chilling experiences of the author’s father during the Holocaust, with Jews drawn as wide-eyed mice and Nazis as menacing cats.

Maus is a haunting tale within a tale, weaving the author’s account of his tortured relationship with his aging father into an astonishing retelling of one of history's most unspeakable tragedies. It is an unforgettable story of survival and a disarming look at the legacy of trauma.

Paperback, 154 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1987

 by Penguin Books

4/5 stars

Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father’s experience surviving the Holocaust, but what sets it apart is its format, this is a graphic novel, with Jews drawn as mice and Nazis as cats. It might sound unconventional, but it’s genuinely effective in conveying the dehumanization and horror of war.

What struck me was how layered the narrative is. It’s not just a Holocaust story, it’s also about inherited trauma, complicated family dynamics, guilt and memory. Spiegelman doesn’t sugarcoat his relationship with his father, Vladek, who is portrayed as both a survivor and a deeply flawed human being. It gives the book even more emotional weight.

I gave it 4 stars only because the structure felt a bit fragmented at times, especially in the shifts between past and present. While Vladek’s personality was challenging to engage with, it kinda felt intentional - it reflects the lingering effects of trauma and the complexity of survival.

What’s worth noting is that Maus has been banned in some school districts, which only underscores how powerful this book is. Challenging books often make us confront uncomfortable truths and Maus does that with unflinching clarity and depth.

Ultimately, Maus is heartbreaking, insightful, and deeply personal. It's one of those books that has stayed with me as it shows the ripple effect the war had through the generations.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #37

The Fort by Christy K. Lee

The Fort transports readers to the rugged Canadian fur trade era, where a resilient single mother defies conventions to forge a new life on the frontier.

It's the height of the fur trade in Canada, and Abigail Williams leaves her home in England and travels deep within the rugged wilderness to escape her scandalous past. With her young son in tow, Abby imagines a life on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, in the rugged but beautiful Fort Edmonton, where she can mend horseshoes in her father’s blacksmith shop and her past will not be a hindrance to her happiness.

Life has other plans. The interest of Henry, an officer at the fort, and Gabriel, a French trapper, are not what she expected. While she wrestles with what future either man can give her, her past comes to haunt her, and she and her son must flee with a ragtag group of voyageurs to Montreal. The winter journey is fraught with dangers, from raging rivers to the chaos that is Lake Superior. But Abby is determined to create a new life for herself, whatever the barriers.

The Fort features the iconic Hudson's Bay Company and rival North West Company, English-French tensions, a heartfelt love story, LGBTQ+ representation, and impeccably-researched historical detail.

Kindle Edition, 283 pages

Expected publication July 15, 2025

 by Rising Action

4/5 stars

I requested an ARC of The Fort as soon as I read Canadian historical fiction and I love the fact it's penned by a Canadian author based in BC. The setting is Fort Edmonton during the peak of the fur trade, with icy winters, fierce voyageurs, and that tug between English and French Canadian.

Abigail Williams is a fascinating character. A single mum fleeing scandal in England, she arrives at Fort Edmonton hoping to restart her life as a blacksmith. There’s the earnest officer Henry, the rugged Métis trapper Gabriel, and even a roommate with ties to Marie-Anne Lagimodière (an actual early female pioneer in the fur trade) to add some spark. 

Lee carefully blended historical detail and emotional depth. The harshness and beautiful Canada’s wilderness was described vividly, I even felt the chill during this recent heat wave.

Yes, some might question how plausible a British woman blacksmith fits into an early 1800s fur fort life, but Lee leans into that with inventive storytelling that made it totally plausible.

All in all, if you enjoy vivid and immersive Canadian historical fiction featuring strong female leads, moral dilemmas, and a sweeping wilderness backdrop, The Fort is a solid pick. Lee’s Canadian roots give the story authenticity and her pacing keeps the plot moving.

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

The Stone Child by David Alexander Robertson

It's a race against time to save Eli, in this third book in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

After discovering a near-lifeless Eli at the base of the Great Tree, Morgan knows she doesn't have much time to save him. And it will mean asking for help — from friends old and new. Racing against the clock, and with Arik and Emily at her side, Morgan sets off to follow the trail away from the Great Tree to find Eli's soul before it's too late. As they journey deep into the northern woods, a place they've been warned never to enter, they face new challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures. But a surprise ally comes to their aid, and Morgan finds the strength to focus on what's most saving her brother's life.

 

Paperback, 256 pages

Published July 5, 2023

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed The Stone Child. It’s a solid addition to David A. Robertson’s series, The Misewa Saga. 

It's a race against time for Morgan to save Eli, and she has to step out of her comfort zone and ask for help. Good on her! Though it is slower paced compared to the previous books. That said, the story still kept me interested with its mix of adventure, mystery and deeper themes. Eli and Morgan continue to grow in meaningful ways, plus the world-building remains strong and imaginative.

While it didn’t quite grab me as much as earlier installments, it still felt like an important stepping stone in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where things go next in The Portal Keeper.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #38

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help us start anew.

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 dreamt of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she's here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe―which makes it that much more surprising when the women can’t stop confiding in each other.

In turns uproariously, absurdly funny and devastatingly tender, Alison Espach's The Wedding People is a look at the winding paths we can take to places we never imagined―and the chance encounters it sometimes takes to reroute us.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published July 30, 2024

by Book of the Month

4.5/5 stars

This was a Book of the Month pick, I remember all the rave reviews and awards which might have made me shy away from reading just to ease my expectation level.

Did it live up to the hype?  Actually it did. It’s one of those books that quietly pulls you in, it started with a setup that grabbed my attention and went from there.  With it's a seaside wedding venue, where no one really knows why they’re there, but then slowly becomes something much deeper and more emotionally resonant. Alison Espach has such a unique way of creating atmosphere - it's my first time reading one of her books. 

Phoebe, our main character, is instantly relatable in her grief and confusion. She arrives at the venue feeling completely out of place and with plans set in motion.  But then things change once she meets the bride and groom, both with different personalities and both will affect Phoebe in ways she never imagined.

The Wedding People is character driven story that is ultimately a story of self discovery (not just Phoebe), it's about letting go and having the courage to move forward.  A slow paced story, with some witty banter and tender moments. 

 I'll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #35

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason

When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! 

Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.

He doesn't know why he's a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn't really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can't keep up.

But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he's a quilt . . . and he realizes that it's OK to be different.

Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

by Tundra Books

5/5 stars

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is one of those picture books that sticks with you -  soft, sweet, and totally adorable. The idea of a ghost made from a cozy quilt instead of a classic sheet is unique, and the story is all about learning to love what makes you different.

Even 25 years later, it still feels fresh and comforting. The illustrations are warm and whimsical and the message is timeless. It’s the kind of book you read as a kid and want to pass down — like a favorite blanket that never gets old.

Perfect for snuggly storytimes or just a feel-good read. Happy anniversary, little ghost! 👻💛

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

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves by Christine Nolfi

An antiques dealer and an enigmatic heiress embark on a revelatory friendship in a haunting and hopeful novel about family ties, secrets, and belonging.

 
Cautious Claire Shelton, employee at a Maine antique shop, is surprised when she’s recruited to catalog the treasures of reclusive Hanna Reeves, sole descendant of the state’s most colorful shipbuilders and industrialists. Hanna’s retreat from society years ago is just one of many mysteries behind the walls of Rose Hill, her fabled estate.

Settling into Rose Hill’s carriage house, Claire finds Hanna, nearing eighty, to be a still-formidable woman. She’s demanding, judgmental, and protective of a mansion that is a veritable shrine to her ancestors. Then, diving into her work, Claire discovers a hidden library that is the stuff of legend among locals. An avid booklover, Claire is in heaven. More enthralling are Hanna’s leather-bound family journals that open Claire up to the past—and soon forge a rich and unexpected bond between two very different women.

A legacy is coming to light. All of Maine is talking. Because the revelations in the journals are enlightening enough to unite old friends, lovers, and families. And shocking enough to tear them apart forever.

Kindle Edition, 287 pages

Published June 24, 2025

 by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

There's something enticing about stories set in old houses full of forgotten books and family mysteries,  The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves delivers that charm with a few fresh twists.

Set in the 1970s on the coast of Maine, which was easy to visualize, follows Claire Shelton. An antiques dealer who is hired to catalog the dusty belongings of the reclusive Hanna Reeves. What starts as a job turns into something more layered, especially as Claire uncovers a series of hidden journals and searches for a secret library tucked away within the estate.

There is a connection that slowly forms between Claire and Hanna, though each are guarded in different ways as they carrying weight from the past. Some pacing issues and a few underdeveloped side characters kept me from fully sinking in at times. But even with a few slow spots, there was something warm and quietly compelling about this story.

If you're in the mood for a gentle mystery wrapped in vintage charm and bookish nostalgia, this is worth picking up. The cover in gorgeous and I will be looking into the authors backlist.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

Lately, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents, then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to spiral. She fears her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands.

Then a letter arrives out of the blue, informing her that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard —but her benefactor is a total stranger named Emilia Rossi. Julia has no information about her biological family, so she wonders if Rossi could be a blood relative. Bewildered, she heads to Tuscany for answers.

There, Julia is horrified to discover that Rossi was a paranoid recluse, who believed herself to be a descendent of Duchess Caterina Sforza, a legendary Renaissance ruler. Stunned by her uncanny resemblance to Rossi, and even to Caterina, Julia is further unnerved when she unearths eerie parallels between them, including an obsession with astrology.

Before long, Julia suspects she’s being followed, and strange things begin to happen. Not even a chance meeting with a handsome Florentine can ease her troubled mind. When events turn deadly, Julia’s harrowing struggle becomes a search for her identity, a race to save her sanity, and ultimately, a question of her very survival.

Kindle Edition, 396 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 28 minutes

Expected publication July 15, 2025

 by Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Audio

3.5/5 stars

This was my first time reading (and listening to) anything by Lisa Scottoline, I was intrigued from the start. Splitting my time between the audiobook and the Kindle edition, both formats worked really well - the narration added an extra layer of intensity, especially during the more suspenseful moments.

The story follows Julia, who's grieving the sudden loss of her husband when she unexpectedly inherits a villa in Italy. Sounds dreamy, right? But of course, it’s not that simple. From the moment Julia arrives the atmosphere shifts, there's a heavy moody vibe with a setting that is vivid and at times spooky.

Things take a turn toward the paranormal pretty quickly, and nothing is quite what it seems. There are some unreliable characters, strange events, and twists that kept me guessing the whole way through. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something else would unravel (pun totally intended).

The Unraveling of Julia is a mix of grief, mystery with just enough supernatural weirdness that keep me wondering what was real. If you're into books with a haunting setting, emotional depth, and plenty of twists, this one’s worth a read.

I’ll be checking out more from Lisa Scottoline after this.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea

On the 10th anniversary of a teenage girl’s disappearance, her cold case breaks open in dangerous ways…and threatens to tear apart her small Wisconsin town all over again in the masterfully twisty new psychological suspense novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.

For fans of Riley Sager, Anna Downes, Alex Finlay, Stacy Willingham, and Karin Slaughter.

Ten years ago, 17-year-old high school volleyball star Callie Jones vanished from her quiet Wisconsin lake community. A highly publicized search followed but her body was never found. The case went cold, but the echoes still linger.

Ethan Hall, a former renegade detective turned ER doctor, left law enforcement to escape the horrors of the kid crime division. But on the tenth anniversary of Callie’s disappearance, his former partner, Pete Kramer, makes a desperate request. Pete is the veteran detective who originally investigated the case. Now he’s dying, and to ease his conscience and get closure for the Jones family, he needs Ethan to return to the haunting work he left behind—and solve what happened to Callie, once and for all.

Word soon spreads and everyone in the small town of Cherryview feels a rush of hope that answers will finally be found. Amid a sweltering heatwave, Ethan’s investigation gains momentum, but reexamining old evidence won’t be enough. He needs a new way into the case, no matter how dangerous or unconventional. And it comes from the least likely of sources—an inmate in a maximum-security prison.

Soon Ethan’s methods draw him deeper into a twisted psychological game. Because there is much more to the nightmare of Callie’s disappearance than he imagined, including a connection with his own dark past . . . and secrets that are still worth killing for.

Kindle Edition, 353 pages

Expected publication July 29, 2025

 by Kensington Books

4/5 stars

This is my second time reading a Charlie Donlea book, I remember really enjoying The Suicide House and was hoping for a similar experience with Guess Again. Safe to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Guess Again comes out later this month, it centers around the case of 17-year-old Callie, who vanished from her Wisconsin hometown a decade ago. Her body was never found and the case has gone cold. That is until someone close to Ethan Hall - a former detective turned ER doctor - asks him to take another look.

It’s a bit of a career jump for Ethan, but it actually works. As he starts digging into the old case things start to unravel in all the best ways. There are layers of mystery, secrets from the past colliding with the present and a whole cast of characters to keep track of - some trustworthy, some not so much.

I flew through this one in just a few days. The pacing is tight, especially in the second half, which I basically devoured in a single sitting. Short chapters, lots of twists, and enough tension that kept me stumped. There’s also an emotional thread with Ethan still dealing with the trauma of losing his father to a serial killer, which added much to the story.

The ending felt right, satisfying well leaving the door open for more. 

After finishing this, I know I need to dig into Donlea’s backlist whenever I’m in the mood for a fast, twisty mystery.

My thanks to Kensington Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.