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.

Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler

Two estranged best friends find that a long-abandoned treasure hunt might be the key to a fresh start—for both their futures and their feelings, from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler.

Last week, Nina Hunnicutt was a professor about to move into a gorgeous new apartment with her long-term boyfriend. Now, she’s single, unemployed, and living with her parents. Even more surprising is the fact that Quentin Bell, her childhood neighbor (and okay, fine, crush), is also back in town—and wants to resume the treasure hunt that ended their friendship almost two decades ago.

Hoping the reward promised to whoever finds the rumored riches left behind by the town’s eccentric turn-of-the-century seltzer magnate will help her get her life back on track, Nina agrees. Granted, last time the search resulted in a broken heart and seventeen years of silence. But Nina’s older and wiser now—surely things will be different.

Except, Quentin is also older and wiser…not to mention distractingly handsome. As they resume their hunt, Nina and Quentin begin to rediscover all the things they once loved best about each other. But unlike the treasure, the secrets that left them empty-handed the first time refuse to stay buried. If there’s any hope of finding what they’re looking for—and for a future together—Nina and Quentin will have to be brave enough to excavate their past as well.

Kindle, Edition, 396 pages

Published June 24, 2025

 by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

This was my first time reading anything by Sarah Adler, Finders Keepers was such a fun, feel-good surprise. It’s a second-chance romance about two estranged best friends who reunite years later to finish a treasure hunt they started as teens. It isn't like they planned this but circumstances in life have them back in their hometowns when life throws some curve balls their way.

Finders Keepers had just the right amount of emotional depth mixed with some quirky and lighthearted moments. There’s some humor sprinkled in, I found myself smiling at the banter and the ridiculous (but charming) situations the characters get into. It wasn't super deep or dramatic but it didn't need to be, this is the kind of book to pick up when you want something playful and adventurous.

I’m glad I gave Sarah Adler a try, I will be checking out her backlist.

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

The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

The highly anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth.

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 Cressida―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. And 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.

In Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

Hardcover, 458 pages

Published February 27, 2025

 by Magpie

4.5/5 stars

The much-anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth had me going in with both excitement and a tad nervous.  Kristen Ciccarelli did not make things easy for Rune and Gideon at the conclusion in The Crimson Moth. The enemies-to-lovers setup between the witch and the witch hunter? Yeah, it was looking pretty doomed by the end of book one.

But yes, Ciccarelli does deliver here.

Set in the smartly imagined world as the first, The Rebel Witch picks up with Rune and Gideon very much at odds - still reeling, still hurting and still tangled up in a complicated mess of magic, betrayal and fate. The weight of the Rebellion, the danger of magic in hiding and the complexity of a society built on fear and control. 

And the story? Completely gripping. Ciccarelli knows how to keep me turning the pages with just the right mix of action, heartbreak, and the kind of emotional slow burn that makes enemies-to-lovers one of the best tropes when it’s done right. (Spoiler: It’s done right here.) But really it wasn't a slow burn pace but action packed throughout.

If you liked The Crimson Moth and were afraid of where it was all heading, trust me: pick up The Rebel Witch. It’s intense, magical, and worth the emotional rollercoaster.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #30

Munro vs. the Coyote by Darren Groth

Since the sudden death of his younger sister, Evie, sixteen-year-old Munro Maddux has been having flashbacks and anger-management issues. 

He has a constant ache in his right hand. And there's a taunting, barking, biting voice he calls "the Coyote." Munro knows a six-month student exchange will not be the stuff of teenage dreams, but in Brisbane, he intends to move beyond his troubled past. 

It is there, at an assisted-living residence called Fair Go Community Village, that Munro discovers the Coyote can be silenced. Munro volunteers as a "Living Partner" and gets to know the team of residents he is assigned to. The burden Munro carries, however, is not so easily cast aside. When one of the team makes the decision to leave, the Coyote gets a new life. When a second resident is taken away, the specter of trauma and death looms larger than ever. 

Will Munro learn how to silence the voice? Or will the Coyote ultimately triumph?

Paperback, 288 pages, 

Published May 11, 2021

 by Orca Book Publishers

4.5/5 stars

Munro vs. the Coyote was a thoughtful and emotionally honest read. It is the story of a teenage boy dealing with grief after the sudden loss of his sister. It tackles some heavy themes that include mental health, suicide, guilt, and resilience - with a quiet strength and empathy that doesn’t feel forced or preachy.

Munro is a believable and hurting character. His grief feels raw and genuine, and the way he interacts with the 'Coyote' his internal voice of doubt and pain is both clever and heartbreaking. The metaphor might seem quirky at first, but it becomes a powerful symbol of the internal battles so many young people face.

Darren Groth writes with a simple, clear style that lets the emotional weight of the story come through without over-explaining. There are moments of dark humor, genuine warmth and small flashes of hope that keep the story grounded, even as it explores a difficult subject.

It’s not a fast-paced book, and there were a few spots that felt a little slow or repetitive, but overall, it’s a deeply meaningful story about love and loss and learning how to keep going when everything feels broken.

I’d definitely recommend this to older teens or adults looking for a raw, compassionate take on grief and healing.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #17 - I read this in March and struggled putting the words together until now.

Warbird by Jennifer Maruno

Etienne is called on an adventure in the new world... 

In 1647, ten-year-old Etienne yearns for a life of adventure far from his family farm in Quebec. He meets an orphan destined to apprentice among the Jesuits at Fort Sainte-Marie. Making the most impulsive decision of his life, Etienne replaces the orphan and paddles off with the voyageurs into the north country. 

At Sainte-Marie, Etienne must learn to live a life of piety.

 Meanwhile, he also makes friends with a Huron youth, Tsiko, who teaches him the ways of his people. 

When the Iroquois attack and destroy the nearby village, Etienne must put his new skills into practice. 

Will he survive?

 Will he ever see his family again?

Paperback, 120 pages

Published September 1, 2010

 by Napoleon and Co

4/5 stars

I was drawn to this book because of the Canadian historical fiction theme. And also the author is local for me.

It’s 1647 in Quebec, which was a time of exploration and for 10-year-old Etienne a time for adventure. When he switches places with an orphan boy destined for Fort Sainte-Marie, he gets more of an adventure than he ever thought possible. Coming in at 120 pages might not seem like a lot but for the middle grade reader it is enough to get a look at what voyageurs and explorers went through in the early settlements of Ontario.

Warbird is ultimately a story of friendship, history and a close look at the struggles between the Iroquois, Jesuits and Hurons.  A great book to learn about history in Ontario with an entertaining read.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book # 29

Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police Detective . . . mostly. She's very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.

Gabriel Thane is a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he's sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. . . .

When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it's to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff's department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie's determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.

Audiobook, 12 hours

Hardcover, 389 pages

Published May 3, 2016

 by Bethany House Pub

4/5 stars

It’s been a while since I picked up a Dee Henderson book, I was excited to dive into Traces of Guilt. This is the first book in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case series - and as you might guess, it’s all about digging into those lingering unsolved mysteries.

In this one, Evie heads to a small town in Illinois to take another look at the disappearance of a family - mom, dad, and their 12-year-old son. Right off the bat, I was introduced to a lot of characters, and it took me a minute to keep track of who was who and how they were connected. But once I got into the rhythm, it all started to come together.

The story is labeled as a suspense romance, though honestly, there wasn’t a ton of suspense or romance for me. Still, it was a good read. Most of the characters are involved in law enforcement and some of them definitely gave off vibes like they were hiding something - which kept things interesting.

The pacing was pretty steady, though the ending wrapped up quicker than I expected. There are some side plots sprinkled throughout, which helped keep the story moving. I really appreciated the character development - Evie and Gabriel (plus his big extended family) felt real and relatable, which made me want to keep reading. I’m looking forward to book two, Threads of Suspicion.

I listened to the audiobook through my Everand subscription,  it was really well done. If you like crime stories with a personal touch and solid characters, this might be worth adding to your list.

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson,

AN ANCIENT RIVALRY REAWAKENS.

Everything I'd known about the world was a lie.

On my thirteenth birthday, I, Alcatraz Smedry ( yes, I got named after a prison, don’t ask ) received my a bag of sand . And then I accidentally destroyed my foster parents’ kitchen. It’s not my fault, things just break around me, I swear !

I thought the sand was a joke until evil Librarians came to steal it. You’re probably thinking, “Librarians are nice people who recommend good books,” but that’s just what they want you to think! It turns out they’re actually a secret cult keeping the truth from you―a hidden world filled with magical eyeglasses, talking dinosaurs, and knights with crystal swords!

Or so my Grandpa Smedry claimed when he suddenly showed up to rescue me. So now I have to go with him to invade the local library and get that sand back, before it's used to conquer the world. And Grandpa says how I keep breaking things is actually an amazing talent. There’s no way that can all be true, right?

Will I ever make it back home alive?

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 3, 2022

 by Starscape

4/5 stars

This middle grade gem was actually recommended to me by my son, who is well past the target age group, but insisted it was too fun to miss. And I have to say, he wasn’t wrong. Brandon Sanderson (yes, that Sanderson) takes a break from his epic fantasy worlds to deliver something totally different here: a quirky, funny and delightfully weird story full of wild imagination and clever twists.

Our hero, Alcatraz Smedry (yes, like the prison but apparently its the other way around) turns 13 and discovers on his birthday that he’s not your average kid. He’s part of an ancient feud with - you guessed it, evil librarians.  While most of us think of librarians as kind, quiet people (and many definitely are, I know some), in this world they’re actually part of a secret cult trying to control information and rule the world. Naturally.

There’s a full cast of equally oddball characters with names like Leavenworth and Sing Sing, plenty of puns (some delightfully cringe-worthy) and nonstop action. It's told from Alcatraz's point of view and he's sarcastic, self-deprecating and not exactly the most reliable narrator - which makes the whole thing even more entertaining.

Yes, it’s silly. Yes, it leans into the absurd. But underneath all the humor and chaos, there are some lovely themes about courage, trust and learning to believe in yourself. I laughed out loud more than once and definitely plan to keep going with the rest of this six-book series.

“So, when people try to give you some book with a shiny round award on the cover, be kind and gracious, but tell them you don't read "fantasy," because you prefer stories that are real. Then come back here and continue your research on the cult of evil Librarians who secretly rule the world.”

“By now, it is probably very late at night, and you have stayed up to read this book when you should have gone to sleep. If this is the case, then I commend you for falling into my trap. It is a writer's greatest pleasure to hear that someone was kept up until the unholy hours of the morning reading one of his books. It goes back to authors being terrible people who delight in the suffering of others. Plus, we get a kickback from the caffeine industry...”

This book is part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf challenge.

The Thirteenth Fairy by Melissa de la Cruz

Nothing ever happens in Filomena Jefferson-Cho's sleepy little suburban town of North Pasadena. The sun shines every day, the grass is always a perfect green, and while her progressive school swears there's no such thing as bullying, she still feels bummed out. But one day, when Filomena is walking home on her own, something strange happens.

Filomena is being followed by Jack Stalker, one of the heroes in the Thirteenth Fairy, a series of books she loves about a brave girl and her ragtag group of friends who save their world from an evil enchantress. She must be dreaming, or still reading a book. But Jack is insistent--he's real, the stories are real, and Filomena must come with him at once!

Soon, Filomena is thrust into the world of evil fairies and beautiful princesses, sorcerers and slayers, where an evil queen drives her ruthless armies to destroy what is left of the Fairy tribes. To save herself and the kingdom of Westphalia, Filomena must find the truth behind the fairytales and set the world back to rights before the cycle of sleep and destruction begins once more.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published December 1, 2020

 by Roaring Brook Press

4/5 stars

This is the first book in the Never After series, and while it’s aimed at middle-grade/young adult readers, I think anyone who loves fairytales will find something to enjoy here - I did.

The story follows Filomena, a book-loving girl who's obsessed with a popular fairytale series that she and her friends can’t get enough of. But when the newest book in the series doesn’t release as promised, things start to get weird. Really weird. One of the characters from the story shows up in real life, and before Filomena knows it, she’s pulled into the magical world of her favorite books - complete with a shady Jack (as in Jack and the Beanstalk) who's not exactly trustworthy.

This was such a fun and quick read! It’s packed with familiar fairytale characters, but they’re all given unique twists. The 13th Fairy mixes magic, secrets, family ties and a solid dose of adventure.  It totally sets things up for book two in what will eventually be a five-book series. I’m already looking forward to seeing where it goes next.

This book is part of my 2025Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #34

A Cake Without Candles by Pete Fanning

Nettie Betts has a long list of goals to conquer before she starts middle school. Most importantly:

1. Finish the fort in the woods.
2. Get rid of Aunt Bethany.
3. Track down her runaway mom.

Number One is coming along, no thanks to Cole, her fleeting best friend. Number Two is no easy task, as Aunt Bethany is looking to strangle her after Nettie snuck a garden hose through the window and drenched her while she sat on the couch. Number Three is more of a life goal.

Things are okay until Nettie’s dad’s truck breaks down halfway across the country. From then on, survival becomes her top priority. With her father stranded, Aunt Bethany is ready for revenge. But when she slips and falls trying to extract it, Nettie feels partly to blame.

With her aunt’s foot stuck in a walking boot, a truce of sorts is established. Nettie is surprised to find her aunt can prep and cook like a five-star chef. She has a way with gambling. She cuts hair. She’s a talented artist and has terrible taste in men. Most importantly, she’s an excellent source of family information as Nettie sifts through the bits and pieces she can collect about her mother. But the more Nettie learns, the more things don’t seem to add up. And sure enough, as sixth grade begins, on the eve of her eleventh birthday, Nettie finally lands that missing piece to the past. Only it doesn’t quite fit the picture she had in mind.

Kindle Edition, 188 pages

Expected publication July 1, 2025 

by Apeiron

5/5 stars

How have I not stumbled across Pete Fanning before? A Cake Without a Candle was a total impulse grab on NetGalley - and honestly, what a win!  It might have been the cover.

The story follows Nettie, she is almost 11, school’s out for the summer and with her dad off traveling she is stuck with Aunt Bethany (who makes complicated relationship look like an art form). Cue awkward bonding time.

This book was so funny. The banter is sharp, the characters are messy in the best way and Nettie is pure chaos with a heart. She hangs with people way older than her (thinking 3 hippie ladies), acts before she thinks and constantly stirs the pot. But it’s hard not to root for her when you realize what she’s carrying underneath it all.

A Cake Without a Candle is part coming-of-age, part family drama and part laugh-out-loud therapy session. One minute I was giggling, the next I was hit with a wave of quiet feels. It was sneaky like that.

I’m now officially on a mission to read more by Pete Fanning. Never seen him on social media, which is a shame, his writing deserves more buzz.

Big thanks to BoooksGoSocial for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.