Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Audiobook, 16 hours, 10 minutes

First published May 4, 2021

by Amazon Audio

5/5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Expected publication April 28, 2026

 by Berkley

4/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward

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

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

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

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

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

Paperback, 384 pages

Published August 25, 2025

 by One More Chapter

3.5/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

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

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

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

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

Paperback, 368 pages

Published February 3, 2026

 by St. Martin's Griffin

3.5/5 stars

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

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

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

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

Brian's Hunt by Gary Paulsen

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

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

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

Paperback, 112 pages

Audiobook, 2 hours, 23 minutes

Published October 11, 2005

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

I obtained the audiobook via CloudLibrary

Secrets of the Starlit Sea by Santa Montefiore

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

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

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

Paperback, 480 pages

Expected publication March 17, 2026

 by Simon & Schuster

5/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hudson Bay Bound by Natalie Warren

The remarkable eighty-five-day journey of the first two women to canoe the 2,000-mile route from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay 

Unrelenting winds, carnivorous polar bears, snake nests, sweltering heat, and constant hunger. Paddling from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, following the 2,000-mile route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic Canoeing with the Cree , Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho faced unexpected trials, some harrowing, some simply odd. But for the two friends—the first women to make this expedition—there was one timeless the occasional pitfalls that test character and friendship. Warren’s spellbinding account retraces the women’s journey from inspiration to Arctic waters, giving readers an insider view from the practicalities of planning a three-month canoe expedition to the successful accomplishment of the adventure of a lifetime.

Along the route we meet the people who live and work on the waterways, including denizens of a resort who supply much-needed sustenance; a solitary resident in the wilderness who helps plug a leak; and the people of the Cree First Nation at Norway House, where the canoeists acquire a furry companion. Describing the tensions that erupt between the women (who at one point communicate with each other only by note) and the natural and human-made phenomena they encounter—from islands of trash to waterfalls and a wolf pack—Warren brings us into her experience, and we join these modern women (and their dog) as they recreate this historic trip, including the pleasures and perils, the sexism, the social and environmental implications, and the enduring wonder of the wilderness.

Hardcover, 226 pages

Published February 2, 2021

 by Univ Of Minnesota Press

3/5 stars

As a canoe-tripping family this book immediately caught my attention. The idea of paddling all the way from Minnesota to Hudson Bay is an incredible (and daunting) undertaking, so I was really anxious to reading about this adventure.

The trip itself was inspired by the classic memoir, Canoeing with the Cree by Eric Sevareid, which tells the story of a similar canoe trip from the early 1900s. It was interesting to see a modern version of that same route and the challenges that still come with traveling such remote waterways.

While I enjoyed the sense of adventure and the appreciation for the wilderness along the route, I’ll admit I was hoping for a bit more detail about the practical side of the trip. When the authors mention arriving at camp, I found myself wanting to know more - how they set up camp, how they packed and organized their gear, and especially what kind of food they carried for a journey that lasted around three months.

Overall, this was still an interesting nonfiction adventure, I enjoyed the sense of community of those that helped along the way. I also happen to have Canoeing with the Cree sitting on my shelf, now I’m even more curious to read that one and see the original story that inspired this trip

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #10

A Far-flung Life by M.L. Stedman

From the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Light Between Oceans comes a breathtaking and epic novel set in the vast outback of Australia—about tragedy, family secrets, and the enduring power of love.

When we do something that can’t be undone or mended, how do we go on living? How do we find our North Star when there is no right answer? These are the questions at the center of M. L. Stedman’s unforgettable and magisterial new novel, A Far-flung Life. From the author of the beloved and bestselling The Light Between Oceans, this is a sweeping and epic story of a family, a tragedy, and the aftermath that reverberates for decades.

Remote Western Australia, 1958: here, for generations, the MacBrides have lived on a vast sheep station, Meredith Downs. It is a million acres, an ocean of arid land. On an ordinary day, on a lonely road, under the unending blue sky, patriarch Phil MacBride swerves to avoid a kangaroo. In seconds the lives of the entire MacBride family are shattered. And then, tragedy revisits when a twist of consequences claims the life of one sibling, and leads another to give up everything for the sake of an innocent child. Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional journey for which there is no map, no guide. The secrets at the heart of this gutting and beautiful story force him to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness.

A Far-flung Life is a tale about family and belonging, fate and time. It is about people trying to do their best, and each, for private reasons, seeking shelter from the storm of life.

Can a fleeting moment unravel a whole life, mar it indelibly and irrevocably? Can compassion, resilience and forgiveness allow us to come to terms with our human imperfections? These are the questions Stedman asks in A Far-flung Life, her profoundly moving, uplifting, and luminous new novel about what the heart can endure for the sake of love.

 Kindle Edition, 448 pages

Published March 3, 2026 

by Scribner

4/5 stars

I first discovered M. L. Stedman through her debut, The Light Between Oceans, which I really enjoyed even if it was such an emotional and heartbreaking story. So I went into this one expecting the same, and yes that is what I got.

A Far-Flung Life is set in Western Australia,  the rugged and isolated landscape plays a strong role in shaping the lives of the characters. Given the detail in the blurb above there isn't really much to say about the story other then that it was yet another emotion read with many layers.

Beginning with the tragic accident I appreciated how the author seamlessly weaves stories from the past into the present-day narrative. These glimpses into earlier events slowly add the layers  and help explain how the characters arrived where they are.

Like her debut this is a thoughtful, character-driven novel about family, difficult choices and the long shadows of the past. I enjoyed the writing and found it quietly pulled me into the story.

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

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

“What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”

When retired math teacher Grace Winters is left a run-down house on a Mediterranean island by a long-lost friend, curiosity gets the better of her. She arrives in Ibiza with a one-way ticket, no guidebook and no plan.

Among the rugged hills and golden beaches of the island, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended. What she uncovers is stranger than she could have dreamed. But to dive into this impossible truth, Grace must first come to terms with her past.

Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning.

Paperback, 384 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours 47 minutes

Published September 2, 2025

 by Penguin Books/Harper Audio

2/5 stars

I went into The Life Impossible with mixed expectations. While many readers absolutely loved The Midnight Library, that one didn’t quite work for me. But I was still curious to see what Matt Haig would do next, and the setting for this one grabbed my attention.

The story follows Grace Winters, a seventy-two-year-old retired teacher who is struggling with grief and regret after the losses in her life. When she unexpectedly inherits a house in Ibiza, from a former colleague she barely knew, she travels to the island hoping to uncover the mystery surrounding the woman’s death and why the house was left to her.

The novel actually started out quite strong for me. I enjoyed the reflective tone and the look into Grace’s past along with the mystery surrounding the inheritance kept me interested early on. However, as the story progressed it took a turn into much more fantastical territory than I expected. What began as an intriguing and emotional journey gradually became increasingly strange and hard for me to connect with.

Thankfully, I did switch over to the audiobook, because I’m not sure I would have finished it in print. While I appreciated Haig’s themes of healing, second chances and learning to live again after grief, this one ultimately just wasn’t the right fit for me.

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

Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

In her now classic novel Outlander, Diana Gabaldon told the story of Claire Randall, an English ex-combat nurse who walks through a stone circle in the Scottish Highlands in 1946, and disappears . . . into 1743.

1778: France declares war on Great Britain, the British army leaves Philadelphia, and George Washington s troops leave Valley Forge in pursuit. At this moment, Jamie Fraser returns from a presumed watery grave to discover that his best friend has married his wife, his illegitimate son has discovered (to his horror) who his father really is, and his beloved nephew, Ian, wants to marry a Quaker. 

Meanwhile, Jamie s wife, Claire, and his sister, Jenny, are busy picking up the pieces.

The Frasers can only be thankful that their daughter Brianna and her family are safe in twentieth-century Scotland. Or not. In fact, Brianna is searching for her own son, who was kidnapped by a man determined to learn her family s secrets. Her husband, Roger, has ventured into the past in search of the missing boy . . . never suspecting that the object of his quest has not left the present. Now, with Roger out of the way, the kidnapper can focus on his true target: Brianna herself.

Hardcover, 825 pages

Audiobook, 45 hours

Published June 10, 2014

 by Delacorte Press

4/5 stars

My slow journey through the Outlander series continues with Written in My Own Heart's Blood, book eight in this epic historical saga. And yes you really should read this series in order. After the way the previous book ended with a couple of pretty big cliffhangers I was definitely curious to see where things were headed next.

Without giving too much of the plot away (even though the blurb above does), this installment continues to follow Jamie, Claire, Bri and Roger and the many characters whose lives are tied to theirs during the chaos of the War of Independence.

By this point in the series some of these characters really do feel like old friends that I've come to care about. I’ll admit a couple of the previous books weren’t favourites of mine as they felt a bit drawn out, but this one held my attention more with a bit more action and movement in the plot. There were new layers added as the story involves the 2 different timelines and some new characters to keep track of. Most of my time was spent with the audiobook, the narrator is awesome.

Though I’m not a huge fan of the storyline involving Lord John Grey and his 'son', I do understand why it’s there since he plays such an important role in Jamie’s life.

And yes… this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger...of course it does. I’m looking forward to reading the final published book, and then I can join everyone else waiting a year… or two… or five for the next one.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge with the audiobook purchased from Audible.

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

A couple's fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting...

Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. We told each other our biggest dreams, and our darkest secrets. And then we got bored.

We look like a normal couple. We're your neighbors, the parents of your kid's friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with.

We all have secrets to keeping a marriage alive.

Ours just happens to be getting away with murder.

Hardcover, 390 pages

Published March 26, 2019

 by Berkley Books

4.5/5 stars

Samantha Downing is an auto-read author for me, and somehow I managed to save her debut for last. After finishing My Lovely Wife I can officially say I’m current on all her books and it’s been such a ride seeing where she started. This one proves she came out of the gate strong.

At its core, this is a twisted domestic thriller about a seemingly ordinary suburban couple trying to keep their marriage…interesting. Told from the husband’s perspective, we follow Millicent and her husband as they balance family life with something far more sinister. The tension builds in that slow, deliberate way Downing does so well. You know something is off from the very beginning, but watching the layers peel back is what makes it so compelling.

The husband’s voice is unsettling in a calm, almost rational way, which makes everything that unfolds feel even more disturbing. Downing layered in red herrings and kept me questioning what I thought I knew. The characters are unreliable, the storyline is dark and twisty and the writing addicting. The chapters aren't long, perfect for just another one. Before I knew it I was done.

Can't wait to see what Samantha Downing comes up with next.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #6

A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker are practically dying for a new adventure but when their wish is granted, they find themselves up against a secret society and a darkly seductive duo.

When the corpse of an entitled young man is found entirely drained of blood in a carriage next to Highgate Cemetery, Veronica’s interest is piqued. And then a second victim is found, his death made to look like a suicide, and Veronica and her intrepid beau, Stoker, know the hunt is on. The two men share one link: they were both members of a society so secretive that only a singular mention of it can be found anywhere.

Thirsty for more clues, Veronica and Stoker hear that a young Roma boy may know more about their first victim, but the only way to the boy is through an old acquaintance of Stoker’s, Lady Julia Brisbane. Lady Julia and her dashing husband, Nicholas, occasionally track down murderers and are only too happy to help. But as it becomes clear the secret society is a dangerous sect looking to entice immortality seekers, Veronica and Stoker find themselves ensnared by a decidedly more sinister couple.

The professed leader of the society claims to be a creature of the night; his partner practices witchcraft and they both fancy themselves emissaries of the otherworldly. Just as Veronica and Stoker get closer to learning the true purpose of the society and unraveling this macabre mystery, another body turns up, and they quickly discover they’ve gone from being the hunters to the hunted. . . .

Kindle Edition, 330 pages

Published March 3, 2026 

by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

Deanna Raybourn is back with another installment into the adventures of Veronica Speedwell and Revelstoke Templeton-Vane (aka Stoker), it felt a bit like catching up with old friends. A Ghastly Catastrophe marks the 10th installment in this series, Veronica and Stoker remain one of my all-time favorite fictional couples. 

This time around, Veronica and Stoker are drawn into a particularly strange case that begins with a suspicious death near Highgate Cemetery. As they begin digging for answers, the trail leads them toward a secretive society with some very unusual beliefs. The deeper they look, the clearer it becomes that this mystery is far more complicated and of course dangerous than it first appeared.  

  

It had a unique plot,  a tad slow on the uptake but once the action started it was a captivating read.  The appearance of Lady Julia Brisbane and her husband Nicholas, characters longtime Raybourn readers will recognize, was a great addition. Their involvement added an extra layer of fun to the story and created some entertaining dynamics as the two investigative couples cross paths. Would be great to see them again.

Even ten books into the series, Raybourn still manages to keep Veronica and Stoker’s adventures feeling fresh. The mystery leans toward the macabre and occasionally borders on the theatrical, but Veronica’s sharp narration, Stoker’s steadfast presence and their clever banter continue to keep me entertained...and guessing.

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

Spotlight: The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble

The Sisters of Book Row

by Shelley Noble

 

A thrilling and timely historical novel of books, banning, and the women who helped save New York’s famed Book Row, from bestselling author Shelley Noble.

1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.

And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.

For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.

Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.

Paperback, 384 pages 

Publication March 3, 2026 

by William Morrow Paperbacks

Dead in the Water by John Marrs

A chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.

When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear—except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?

With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.

But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…

Kindle Edition, 388 pages

Published January 20, 2026 

by Thomas & Mercer

3.5/5 stars

Dead in the Water was my first time reading this author and I have to say the premise immediately pulled me in. Surviving a near-drowning only to realize one memory is missing, and that it involves a dead boy,  was a chilling and clever setup.

I really enjoyed the psychological depth,  watching Damon spiral into obsession, convinced the only way to unlock the truth is to repeatedly bring himself to the brink of death again and again. It made for a dark and unsettling read. It had me reading Just One More Chapter (pun intended) because I needed to know what he wasn’t remembering and why.

There were some clever twists woven throughout, I appreciated how the story slowly unraveled rather than rushing. Though at times the repetition of Damon’s choices felt slightly drawn out, but the overall concept felt fresh and bold. It was twisty and there were moments I had to pause and remember who was who again. But as my first introduction to Marrs it was a solid read.  Dark, twisty and thought-provoking,  I’m sure curious enough to pick up another one of his books.

My thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

From Sally Hepworth, comes a twist-filled, darkly funny mystery about the two kinds of people no one ever expects to be little girls and old ladies.

Meet Mad Mabel.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street, Kenny Lane, for sixty years--longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past that she has worked exceedingly hard at concealing. Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When a new little girl (talkative, curious, nosy) moves into the neighborhood and stops at nothing to befriend Elsie, her carefully-constructed life threatens to come crashing down as the secrets in Elsie's past start coming to light. Who was "Mad Mabel" fifty years ago? Who is Elsie Fitzpatrick today? And if the past has a habit of repeating itself, who has the most to lose?

Told with Sally Hepworth's twists, humor, charm, and heart, MAD MABEL is novel that weaves past and present together--through the power of justice and redemption, and all the way to its stunning conclusion.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication April 21, 2026

 by St. Martin's Press

4.5/5 stars

Mad Mabel by Australian author Sally Hepworth takes place in one of my favorite settings...Australian.  Yup its on my bucket list. 

Told in two timelines, one that follows Mabel in her senior years and the other taking me back to her teenage life.  I really enjoyed how those perspectives slowly came together.

In the present day, Mabel carries the nickname 'Mad Mabel,'  at first I was not entirely sure what to believe about her. Is she unreliable? Misunderstood? Or is there more going on beneath the surface? I loved how the story gradually peeled back those layers instead of giving me easy answers.

The past timeline shows the early death of Mabel’s mother and how deeply that loss shaped her. You can feel how her grief turned into anger, loneliness and that desperate need for connection and friendship. Watching those formative years unfold gave so much context to the woman she becomes later in life. It added emotional weight to the twists because they didn’t feel shocking just for the sake of it, they felt earned.

Mad Mabel is a layered story of grief, secrets and how easily a woman can be labeled without full disclosure. There were definitely some well-placed twists that made me rethink what I thought I understood and I appreciated how the dual timelines connected in a way that felt satisfying rather than rushed.  I found myself fully invested in Mabel’s journey from beginning to end.

This was a hybrid read for me, I highly recommend both the reading part and audiobook.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin's press for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer

A crumbling mansion, a forgotten book, and a mystery that could destroy them all . . .

Beneath the decaying grandeur of Wurimbirra, a family estate on the east coast of Australia, dark secrets lie buried. Fiona Winslow returns to restore the mansion she once called home, but what she uncovers is more than just decay - it is a mystery locked away for generations.

A forgotten book, The Midnight Estate, leads her into a story of love, loss, and betrayal mirroring her own. And as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Fiona must confront a chilling Is the true mystery hidden in the walls of her ancestral home, or within the pages of a book that seems to have chosen her?

A Gothic tale told across three timelines, The Midnight Estate is a haunting mystery entwining a family's darkest secrets and a captivating book-within-a-book puzzle.

Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Expected publication July 21, 2026

 by MIRA

4.5/5 stars

Published in Australia as The Story Keeper and releasing in North America as The Midnight Estate, Kelly Rimmer’s latest completely drew me in.

Fiona returns home to Australia after a betrayal leaves her scarred, homeless, and without a job. But her homecoming is far from welcoming. When she becomes connected to a long-neglected estate, unexpected happenings begin to unfold, creating that layer of mystery, unease and intrigue.

The Story Keeper has that feel of a dual time-period story, even though one of the perspectives is revealed through a manuscript written by an unknown author. I loved the novel-within-a-novel structure, I found myself just as invested in the story on the page as in Fiona’s present-day journey. As the layers slowly peel back, the secrets emerge and the emotional weight builds. 

I've always loved a good Australian setting, it's a place on my bucket list and books like this have me itching to visit. I was also fortunate to receive both the digital and audiobook ARCs,  I especially loved the audio experience, the narrator’s accent made the story feel even more immersive.

The Story Keeper is a layered, atmospheric and compelling story about betrayal, identity and the power of uncovering the past. It ticked all the boxes and had me reading just one more chapter.

My thanks to Mira and Harlequin Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

From the internationally bestselling author of The Porcelain Moon comes a haunting Gothic novel set in 1911 China. Two young women living in a crumbling, once-grand Shanghai mansion face danger as secrets of their pasts come to light, even as the mansion’s own secret threatens the present.

Shanghai, 1911. Lisan Liu is elated when she is hired as secretary to wealthy American Caroline Stanton, the new mistress of Lennox Manor on the outskirts of Shanghai’s International Settlement. However, the Manor has a dark past due to a previous owner’s suicide, and soon Lisan’s childhood nightmares resurface with more intensity and meld with haunted visions of a woman in red. Adding to her unease is the young gardener, Yao, who both entices and disturbs her.

Newly married Caroline looks forward to life in China with her husband, Thomas, away from the shadows of another earlier tragedy. But an unwelcome guest, Andrew Grey, attends her party and claims to know secrets she can’t afford to have exposed. At the same party, the notorious princess Masako Kyo approaches Lisan with questions about the young woman’s family that the orphaned Lisan can’t answer.

As Caroline struggles with Grey’s extortion and Thomas’s mysterious illness, Lisan’s future is upended when she learns the truth about her past, and why her identity has been hidden all these years. All the while, strange incidents accelerate, driving Lisan to doubt her sanity as Lennox Manor seems unwilling to release her until she fulfills demands from beyond the grave.

Paperback, 336 pages 

Published February 10, 2026

 by William Morrow 

4/5 stars

This is my third time reading Janie Chang, and once again I was completely drawn into her depiction of China during this fascinating period in history.

The Fourth Princess opens in Shanghai in 1911 and follows Lisan Liu, a young woman hired as secretary to Caroline Staton, a wealthy American newly installed as mistress of Lennox Manor. Through Lisan’s perspective we see that the neglected manor itself carries a dark past that slowly begins to haunt her, giving the story that gothic feel.

From Caroline’s point of view, we experience Shanghai as an outsider trying to establish herself in an unfamiliar country. She arrives with secrets of her own and as her past begins to surface it adds depth and tension to the narrative.

I especially loved the atmosphere, it was rich in history, which I love, the decaying mansion mirrors  hidden truths and the characters are ones that I could root for.  The story itself came with a few surprises and unexpected twists.

Janie Chang has a talent for bringing parts of China's history to life. The Fourth Princess was a captivating historical novel filled with secrets, layered perspectives and a setting that still lingers.

My thanks to HarperAvenue for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

SHE HELPED A PERFECT A STRANGER. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS THE PERFECT KILLER...

Ellie Parker had everything.
Perfect husband. Perfect apartment. Perfect friends and the perfect job.
As an internet celebrity - famed for her random acts of kindness - everyone knew it.
So when a betrayal causes her to lose it all, millions of people are watching.

But even at her lowest, Ellie will always help someone in need.
Which makes her the perfect target for a sadistic game.
Because as she soon learns, you can never trust a stranger - and a seemingly random encounter plunges her into a nightmare worse than she ever imagined.

The only person she can turn to is conman turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn, who must take on a case where nothing is what it seems. With the most cruelly ingenious mind manipulating events from the shadows, everyone is in danger - including Eddie and his family.

Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Expected Publication, March 24, 2026

by Atria Books

4/5 stars

Two Kinds of Stranger is book 9 in the Eddie Flynn series, but it works as a standalone. I’m slowly making my way through the backlist, not just because I’m genuinely curious about these characters and their histories but they are great courtroom drama with unique plots.  

This installment centers on Ellie Parker, a high-profile social media influencer who has built her platform by sharing every aspect of her life online. She’s especially known for her random acts of kindness - surprising strangers, helping families in need and inviting her followers into moments that feel generous and authentic. Her life looks polished and purposeful… until it very publicly unravels.

During a live broadcast, a shocking moment of betrayal plays out in real time. Not long after Ellie is arrested and charged with two counts of murder, unfortunately for her all the evidence points straight in her direction.

Enter Eddie Flynn. A former conman turned defense attorney, Eddie is known for courtroom drama that never lacks twists and turns. You truly never know what he has up his sleeve next. Just when it seems like the case is airtight, he pivots. When things look impossible, he finds another angle. Watching him strategize is half the fun.

This was a  smart, fast-moving legal thriller with plenty of tension. I can't wait to see what Eddie Flynn is up to next  - One of Us is Guilty coming in 2026 - I'll be working on getting caught up in series by then. 

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital ARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review. 

Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen

As millions of readers of Hatchet, The River, and Brian's Winter know, Brian Robeson survived alone in the wilderness by finding solutions to extraordinary challenges. But now that he's back in civilization, he can't find a way to make sense of high school life. He feels disconnected, more isolated than he did alone in the North. The only answer is to return, to "go back in", for only in the wilderness can Brian discover his true path in life, and where he belongs.

Paperback, 115 pages

Audiobook, 2 hours, 26 minutes

Published May 1, 2021

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Return takes Brian back into the wilderness once again, this time by choice rather than circumstance. Now older, Brian feels restless and disconnected from modern life and is drawn back to the land that shaped him after that original plane crash.

This story focuses more on reflection than survival and exploring how deeply the wilderness has become part of Brian’s identity. Paulsen’s writing is, as I've come to expect, clear when describing nature. I've come to appreciate revisiting Brian’s mindset and growth.

That said, the plot feels quieter and less gripping than earlier books in this series. Much of the novel is introspective, and there’s less tension or forward momentum compared to Brian’s earlier survival experiences.

Overall, Brian’s Return is a thoughtful addition to the series, but not a standout. It’s best suited for readers already invested in Brian’s journey rather than those looking for high-stakes adventure.

I listened to the audiobook, obtained via Cloudlibrary.

The Sower's Secret by Brock Eastman & Shaun Stevenson

A hilarious action-adventure series for Christian kids set in a town where the parables of Jesus literally come to life.

When Anthony and his mom move to the seaside town of Parable Port, they’re just hoping for a fresh start. Anthony soon finds out that there’s something unusual about this little it’s a place where Jesus’ parables come to life in surprising ways.

The adventure begins when a flock of orange birds stalks Anthony and flowering vines grow everywhere, knocking people out cold with their pollen. In the good old days, the living parables would help the town to flourish. But now? Something or someone is messing with the Parable of the Sower and causing chaos.

With the help of his new friends Duck, J.R., Grace, and Brooklyn, Anthony must uncover clues, decipher riddles, and stay one step ahead of the birds and vines to save the town—before it’s too late.

This Christian book series for middle schoolers. A map of Parable Port—Follow along as the kids run around town to solve the mystery. 

Kindle Edition, 208 pages

Expected publication March 3, 2026 

by Tyndale Kids

3.5/5 stars

The Sower’s Secret, releasing in March, is the first book in a new middle-grade series inspired by the parables of the Bible. This opening story focuses on the parable of the mustard seed and the idea that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something significant.

This story follows Anthony and his mom as they move to Parable Port. It's here where Anthony  makes new friends - Duck, JR, Grace and Brooklyn. Not long after settling in strange things begin happening around town, and Anthony and his friends find themselves pulled into a mystery they don’t fully understand. Their journey to uncover what’s really going on adds an engaging sense of adventure while reinforcing the book’s central message about faith, patience and the small acts making a big impact.

The writing is clear, making this a good fit for middle-grade readers, families and even classrooms and church group settings. The plot is fairly straightforward and the lesson is easy to identify, but it’s handled in a way that feels age-appropriate rather than heavy-handed. The notes at the end outline the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed, easy to follow and opening the opportunity for discussion.

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

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharoah—rewriting both of their legacies forever.

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 15 minutes

Expected publication March 24, 2026 

by St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

Daughters of Egypt is a dual-timeline historical novel that highlights women whose influence and intelligence were often pushed to the margins of history. Told through two points of view nearly 3,000 years apart, this story shows how power, ambition and determination echo across time.

One timeline is set in the 1920s and follows Lady Evelyn Carnarvon, who has a passion for archaeology.  Through her friendship with Howard Carter, we get a fascinating look at the excitement, tension, and behind-the-scenes look at history. At the same time seeing how much Evelyn herself longed to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field.

The second timeline takes us back to ancient Egypt and follows Hatshepsut, a woman determined to rule in a world that refuses to accept a female pharaoh. Her journey is compelling and powerful, and the parallels between her struggles and Evelyn’s make the dual narrative especially effective.

Overall, this was an immersive and thoughtful read that did a great job bringing overlooked women to the forefront of history. 

Note: I was luck to get both the digital and audiobook, it was a fun hybrid read.  I will confess that I enjoyed reading the book moreso, one of the povs didn't work for me in audio.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review.

Skylark by Paula McLain

Bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time. 

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette's efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined. 

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized. 

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

First published January 6, 2026

 by Atria Books

3.50/5 stars

Skylark is an atmospheric and ambitious historical novel that feels like a departure from the author’s more familiar work, one that still pays off.

Alternating between Paris of 1664, where women are not allowed to think, decide or even exist independently. And the dawn of World War II, where freedom is again under threat, though in very different ways. The historical setting of 17th-century Paris has fascinating details about the dye guilds, the power structures of the time and the harsh treatment of prisoners and those deemed mentally unwell. Such is similar seeing through the eyes of a medical student in 1939 as he witnesses the atrocities against the Jewish population.

Skylark is all the more an emotional story because its based on real historical events.  Each setting was vivid in descriptions and well researched. The stories were interesting and informative.  This book will appeal to those that like historical fiction that is unique with strong players.

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review..

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

He would have to find some way to protect himself, some weapon. The fire worked well when it was burning, but it had burned down. His hatchet and knife would have done nothing more than make the bear really angry -- something he did not like to think about -- and his bow was good only for smaller game. He had never tried to shoot anything bigger than a fool bird or rabbit with it and doubted that the bow would push the arrow deep enough to do anything but -- again -- make the bear really mad.

He bundled in his bag that night, the end of the two weeks of warm weather. He kept putting wood on the fire, half afraid the bear would come back. All the while he tried to think of a solution.

But in reality, the bear was not his primary adversary. Nor was the wolf, nor any animal. Brian had become his own worst enemy because in all the business of hunting, fishing and surviving he had forgotten the primary rule: Always, always pay attention to what was happening. Everything in nature means something and he had missed the warnings that summer was ending, had in many ways already ended, and what was coming would be the most dangerous thing he had faced since the plane crashed.

Paperback, 144 pages

Published January 12, 1998

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Winter is the third book in the Brian Saga Series and takes a familiar story in a new direction. This novel is a “what if” scenario that imagines what would have happened if Brian had not been rescued before winter after the plane crash that left him stranded in the wilderness.

The focus is squarely on survival as Brian endures the brutal winter months, relying on his growing knowledge of the land and sheer determination. Paulsen’s descriptions of the cold, isolation, and daily struggle for food and shelter are vivid, especially for readers who enjoy wilderness survival stories.

That said, the plot feels more reflective than suspenseful and much of the story revisits challenges similar to those in earlier books. While it’s interesting to see Brian tested in a harsher season, the narrative doesn’t offer many surprises or strong emotional shifts.

Overall, Brian’s Winter is a solid addition for fans of the series, particularly those curious about this alternate outcome. It’s an engaging survival tale, but it doesn’t quite stand out from the rest of Brian’s journey.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is book #1

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way.

Lost in the streets and smoldering rubble of Occupied Germany, Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American soldier spots a gaggle of mixed-race children following a nun. Desperate to conceive her own family, she feels compelled to follow them to learn their story.

Ozzie Philips volunteers for the army in 1948, eager to break barriers for Black soldiers. Despite his best efforts, he finds the racism he encountered at home in Philadelphia has followed him overseas. He finds solace in the arms of Jelka, a German woman struggling with the lack of resources and even joy in her destroyed country.

In 1965, Sophia Clark discovers she’s been given an opportunity to integrate a prestigious boarding school in Maryland and leave behind her spiteful parents and the grueling demands. In a chance meeting with a fellow classmate, she discovers a secret that upends her world.

Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

Expected publication February 10, 2026

by Simon & Schuster CA

5/5 stars

The Keeper of Lost Children is a moving historical fiction novel that brings to light a remarkable, largely overlooked chapter of post–World War II history. Given the author's 2 previous books I knew I was in for a captivating read.

Inspired by the life events that explores the aftermath of World War 2 through a couple points of view. One perspective follows an American woman living in Germany with her husband, longing to become a mother but unable to conceive.  Her desire for motherhood becomes inseparable from the children society has abandoned.

Interwoven with this is the perspective of a teenage girl growing up on a farm in Maryland, yearning for more than the life she has been handed. Her coming-of-age story is marked by determination, resilience, and a quiet but powerful sense of purpose. This viewpoint adds depth and hope, showing how ambition and compassion can take root even in the most ordinary of places.

Keeper of Lost Children is a story of family, hope and how one woman decided that these children mattered. It was well written and researched and now weeks after I finished it has stayed with me.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

A tale of a family of women with an astonishing gift - the ability to redo one moment in their lives.

The women of the Novak family were each born with a they can, just once, turn back time.

Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.

Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.

As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.

Kindle Edition, 256

Expected publication March 10, 2026

 by Atria Books

3/5 stars

Once and Again follows three generations of women, grandmother, mother and daughter, who share a rare and mysterious gift: each is granted a single do over — it’s a second chance that can only be used once.

The premise is compelling as the story slowly reveals unknown pasts layered with twists, scandal, and heartache.  Though blood related they have different personalities and once their stories are shared their characteristics make a whole lot of sense.  A quick read coming in at 256 pages, but it was enough with some depth and the emotion that it needed.

Overall Once and Again is a thought provoking story of family, mistakes and healing.

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

The Names by Florence Knapp

Can a name change the course of a life?

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register the birth of her son. Her husband, Gordon, respected in the community but a controlling presence at home, intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and name the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates....

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of their lives, shaped by Cora's last-minute choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities for autonomy and healing.

Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the "one ... precious life" we are given. Full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and love's endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.

Hardcover, 328 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Pamela Dorman Books

3.5 stars

The Names is a strong debut. At its heart, this book asks an intriguing question: does your name really shape who you become? 

That question sits at the center of the story, which I do think should come with trigger warnings for domestic abuse. While I don’t know if that counts as a spoiler, it’s central to the narrative and important to know going in.

The book is told through three “what if” scenarios rather than traditional timelines. What if this baby boy is named Bear or Julian or Gordon - after his well respected Dr. father.  A decision his mother Cora makes.  What follows is a look at of how their lives might unfold under each name. The writing was smooth and kept me engaged, though I did feel taking too long a break had me pausing to remember where I was and which story I was in.

The Names is a thoughtful, imaginative and emotional debut.  One that has stayed with me weeks after I finished.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#52)