A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve.

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated-scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.

Bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin with the later books in the series, A Court of Frost and Starlight explores the far-reaching effects of a devastating war and the fierce love between friends.

Paperback, 272 pages

Published June 2, 2020

 by Bloomsbury Publishing

3/5 stars

I’ve been rereading  A Court of Thorns and Roses series to get ready for the new book. A Court of Frost and Starlight is the little novella - if you want to call a 272 page book a novella, i guess compared to the rest of the series this is a little break.. It sits between the third and fifth books. It’s a quieter visit with Feyre, Rhysand and their friends as they celebrate the Winter Solstice in Velaris and try to settle into a new normal after the war.

This is my least favourite in the series, part of that may simply be the length. After the big, sweeping books that come before it, this feels more like a short break in this series. There’s not a lot of plot and much of it is the characters shopping, gathering and exchanging gifts. Pleasant enough, but I missed the stakes, the tension that drew me into the series in the first place.

That said, it does have some interesting bits, especially the parts that hint at what’s coming next. Not everyone has come out of the war in one piece and there are seeds planted here, particularly around Nesta and Cassian, that lead straight into the fifth book. I’m reading that one now and I’m glad I didn’t skip this little bridge.

If you’re making your way through the series, don’t pass this one by, but go in expecting a cozy intermission rather than an adventure.

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #36

Wilderness Hacks by Joslin Brorsen

Hatchet meets Survivor in this high-action, humor-filled middle grade adventure about two kids stranded in the wilderness, whose annoyance with each other rivals the roaring rapids and ferocious predators they must face.

12-year-old Sadie Hahn didn’t plan to eat grubs on camera to win a contest. And she definitely didn’t plan to win first prize—a guest appearance on a Youtube show hosted by America’s favorite 13-year-old survivalist Radley Shaw. But she’ll do anything to cheer up her little brother Silas, who’s too young to qualify.

Rad has millions of followers and exactly zero real-life friends, so the contest is a great chance for him to hang out with kids his own age. But it’s hate-at-first-sight when Silas throws a wrench in his plan and Sadie decides Rad is just a clueless poser who doesn’t know the first thing about survival.

Disaster strikes when their scripted rafting trip turns into a real fight for survival. Lost in the mountains, Rad and Sadie must find shelter, build a fire, forage for food and try not to become food for a hungry predator. But can they stop bickering long enough to hack it in the wilderness? And will that be enough to keep them alive?

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published March 31, 2026

 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

4/5 stars

The cover drew me to Wilderness Hacks, I love a great outdoorsy middle grade adventure story. Plus this is the author's debut.

This adventure starts off as pure fun. Sadie is so determined to cheer up her little brother that she’ll happily munch on grubs for the camera if that’s what it takes and her prize is a chance to film with Radley Shaw, a teenage YouTube survival star with millions of fans. The trouble is that Sadie and Rad rub each other the wrong way from the moment they meet and she’s pretty sure his survival skills are more for show than for real.

Then disaster strikes and the story takes a serious turn. Suddenly the cameras don’t matter,  two kids who can barely stand each other have to rely on one another to get out of the wilderness alive.

I enjoyed Brorsen’s writing style. The story moves along at a good clip, switching between Sadie and Rad so you get to know both sides, there’s still humour sprinkled in even when things get tense. The characters are likeable and I liked watching how they changed along the way. Their journey isn’t just about finding their way home, it’s also about learning to trust each other and seeing past first impressions.

This would be a great pick for young readers who love survival stories, it’s an impressive debut. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the second book, coming in 2027.

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #35

Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai

How do you rebuild yourself when your whole world changes overnight?

Thrust onto the public stage at fifteen years old after the Taliban’s brutal attack on her life, Malala Yousafzai quickly became an international icon known for bravery and resilience. But away from the cameras and crowds, she spent years struggling to find her place in an unfamiliar world. Now, for the first time ever, Malala takes us beyond the headlines in Finding My Way—a vulnerable, surprising memoir that buzzes with authenticity, sharp humor, and tenderness.

Finding My Way is a story of friendship and first love, of anxiety and self-discovery, of trying to stay true to yourself when everyone wants to tell you who you are. In it, Malala traces her path from high school loner to reckless college student to a young woman at peace with her past. Through candid, often messy moments like nearly failing exams, getting ghosted and meeting the love of her life, Malala reminds us that real role models aren’t perfect—they’re human.

In this astonishing memoir, Malala reintroduces herself to the world, sharing how she navigated life as someone whose darkest moments threatened to define her—while seeking the freedom to find out who she truly is. Finding My Way is an intimate look at the life of a young woman taking charge of her destiny—and a deeply personal testament to the strength it takes to be unapologetically yourself.

Audible Audio, 8 hours, 57 minutes

Published October 21, 2025

 by Simon & Schuster Audio

3.5/5 stars

Like so many people, I first got to know Malala through I Am Malala, the story of the schoolgirl who stood up to the Taliban and survived being shot for it. So when I heard she had written a new memoir about what came next, I was curious to see where life had taken her.

I listened to this one on Audible, the fact that Malala narrates it herself makes all the difference. It felt like she was sitting across from me, just talking about her life. You can hear the warmth and humour in her voice, it made the more personal moments feel that much closer.

This book follows her into young adulthood, mostly during her years at Oxford. There’s the usual university stuff, like making friends, keeping up with schoolwork and figuring out her relationship with her parents. The difference is that Malala couldn’t do any of it in private. Everything she did was watched and often shared with the world, from what she wore to her love life to her grades and every misstep came with consequences most students never have to think about.

I was also surprised to learn how much she helped support her family financially. That’s a lot of responsibility for anyone, let alone a student trying to get through Oxford under that kind of spotlight. She’s also open about her anxiety and the challenge of figuring out who she is beyond the girl in the headlines.

I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I Am Malala. That first book has a gripping, life-or-death story at its heart and this one is quieter and more personal by nature. I also found parts of it a bit repetitive. Still, it was interesting to see the direction her life took after the shooting and to get to know the young woman behind the famous name.

If you read I Am Malala and have ever wondered what came next, this is well worth a listen.

My copy obtained through my Audible subscription.

Hurricane Summer by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published May 4, 2021

 by Wednesday Books

4/5 stars

This one has been on my shelf since 2021, I was pleasantly surprised to see the author is from Toronto, love discovering Canadian authors.

Tilla’s father has always been half in and half out of her life. He splits his time between Toronto and Jamaica and Tilla has never stopped hoping he’ll choose them. So when she and her little sister Mia are sent to stay with him on the island for the summer, she doesn’t quite know what to expect. What she finds is a side of her father and his family she never knew. Along with secrets that come to the surface just as a hurricane heads their way.

Hurricane Summer is a well written story, Bromfield is fantastic on the emotional side of things. I felt every bit of Tilla’s hurt and longing. As a coming-of-age story it’s very well done, I was rooting for her as she began to find her own voice. Bromfield also brings Jamaican culture to life, with an island that feels vivid and real.

But boy, does Tilla have a tough time there. Some of the people she meets are just plain mean and the book doesn’t shy away from heavy subjects, like how people are judged by the shade of their skin, how much money they have and amounts of clothing one has. At times I found it hard to read, I found myself wishing Tilla could catch even a small break. That’s probably the point, but it made for an emotionally draining summer for both of us.

If you enjoy YA coming-of-age stories with real depth, this one is worth your time. Just be ready for more storm than sunshine.

This book is part of my Reading Off My Shelf Challenge -  #43

Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly

Isabelle should be blissfully happy – she’s about to win the handsome prince. Except Isabelle isn’t the beautiful girl who lost the glass slipper and captured the prince’s heart. She’s the ugly stepsister who’s cut off her toes to fit into Cinderella’s shoe ... which is now filling with blood.

When the prince discovers Isabelle’s deception, she is turned away in shame. It’s no more than she deserves: she is a plain girl in a world that values beauty; a feisty girl in a world that wants her to be pliant.

Isabelle has tried to fit in. To live up to her mother’s expectations. To be like her stepsister. To be sweet. To be pretty. One by one, she has cut away pieces of herself in order to survive a world that doesn’t appreciate a girl like her. And that has made her mean, jealous, and hollow.

Until she gets a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl.

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published May 14, 2019

 by Scholastic Press

4/5 stars

Jennifer Donnelly is one of my auto-read authors. She writes both YA and adult fiction. Stepsister has been waiting patiently on my shelf and I’m so glad I finally got to it.

We all know how Cinderella ends: the glass slipper fits, the prince gets his bride and everyone lives happily ever after. Everyone except the stepsisters, that is. Donnelly picks up where the fairy tale leaves off and follows Isabelle, the 'ugly' stepsister who has to live with what she did to try to win the prince. With her family’s reputation in tatters, she has to figure out who she is when everyone has already decided she’s the villain. Meanwhile, Fate and Chance are watching, each betting on how her story will turn out.

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a clever twist on a story I thought I knew and it made me look at the 'wicked' stepsister in a whole new light. Isabelle isn’t easy to like at first, but I found myself cheering her on as she started questioning everything she’d been told about beauty and what a girl is supposed to be. Having Fate and Chance squabbling in the background added a fun, almost mythical layer to it all.

Stepsister is a story of family, change and courage. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings or you’ve ever wondered what happened to the stepsisters after the ball, this one is well worth picking up.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #42

The Grandmother's Tale by Alison Weir

The Grandmother's Tale is an e-short and companion piece to Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession, the second novel in the Six Tudor Queens series.

I see her from time to time, and I wish I didn't, but I don't say that. Nor do I tell my guests of my awful gift, or of how I kept seeing a sword over her head . . . Thomas once called me a witch. But witches practise their craft willingly. My visions come unbidden, and I have never been able to control them.

As Anne Boleyn's grandmother mourns the death of her granddaughter, she also mourns the loss of Hever as she once knew it - filled with the joy and happiness of her family.

With Anne's ghost still walking the halls, Margaret remembers her life in this grand house and the mysteries and rumours that line its walls. But with everything changed for ever, how long will Hever remain her home?

Features the first chapter of Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession and Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen.

SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS.

Kindle Edition, 57 pages

Published March 8, 2018

 by Review

3.5/5 stars

I’ve read a lot about Anne Boleyn and her family over the years, but can't remember a time hearing about her grandmother. So this little e-short was a welcome change of point of view.

The story belongs to Margaret Butler Boleyn, mother of Thomas Boleyn and grandmother to Anne. Now elderly and living out her final years at Hever Castle, she looks back over her life: the family she watched grow up there, the visions that have troubled her and the loneliness that has settled in now that so much has been lost.

It’s a quiet, reflective story rather than a dramatic one and that suits it. Seeing the Boleyns through the eyes of the family matriarch, someone usually left out of the story, gave me a fresh angle on people I thought I knew well. Weir is a historian first, her feel for the period comes through even in so few pages.

Being so short, it only skims the surface. I’d have happily spent more time with Margaret. Still, if you’re a Tudor fan looking for a different perspective on the Boleyns, it’s a worthwhile quick read.

My copy obtained through Amazon UK.

The Chateau of Briis: A Lesson in Love by Alison Weir

The Chateau of Briis: A Lesson in Love  is an e-short and companion piece to Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession, the second novel in the series about Henry VIII's queens.

'May I have the pleasure of your hand in the dance, mademoiselle?'

1515 - Dressed in wine-coloured satin, with her dark hair worn loose, a young Anne Boleyn attends a great ball at the French court. The palace is exquisitely decorated for the occasion, and the hall is full with lords and ladies - the dancing has begun. Anne adores watching the game of courtly love play out before her eyes, though she is not expecting to be thrown into it herself. But moments later, a charming young man named Philippe du Moulin approaches to ask for her hand in the dance. And before she can resist, so begins Anne's first lesson in love.

Includes the first chapters of Anne Boleyn: A King's Obsession and Jane Seymour: The Haunted Queen, the third novel in the Six Tudor Queens series.

Kindle Edition, 79 pages

Published January 11, 2018

 by Review

3.5/5 stars

I’ve read a lot about Anne Boleyn over the years, so when I found out Alison Weir had written a handful of short story's to go along with her Six Tudor Queens series, I jumped in. They’re not easy to find from this side of the Atlantic, so I picked these up for my Kindle through Amazon UK. 

It’s 1515, a teenage Anne is at the French court where she has been learning the manners and polish expected of a young lady. She loves watching the elaborate game of courtly love play out among the lords and ladies around her. Then a charming young Frenchman named Philippe du Moulin catches her eye.

It was interesting to meet Anne long before Henry VIII, when she was young, a bit naive and still figuring out the world around her. Knowing where her life is headed gives this little story some extra weight. It’s very short, more of a glimpse than a full tale, but it’s a nice addition for anyone who enjoys Weir’s take on the Tudors.

My copy obtained via Amazon UK - though they are available in print form 

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

A scream shatters the silence…

Courtney Gray’s peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead in their lakeside cottage. Her niece Reese is missing. Her nephew Wyatt is asleep upstairs—unharmed.

A town full of secrets…
As police swarm the quiet resort, dark truths about Courtney’s family—and the town itself—begin to surface. Is Reese a victim… or the killer?

A truth no one saw coming…
With everyone hiding something, Courtney races to uncover the terrible mystery. But the closer she gets, the harder it is to know who—or what—to trust.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published February 3, 2026

 by Park Row Books

3.5/5 stars

Mary Kubica is a bit of a hit-and-miss author for me. When she’s on, she’s really on. Local Woman Missing is still one of my favourites, I’ve been chasing that feeling with her books ever since. 

Courtney Gray is spending a week at a lakeside resort with her husband, daughter and her brother’s family. One night everything falls apart, with the morning revealing a horrific chain of events having taken place. Her brother and sister-in-law are dead, their teenage daughter Reese is missing and the teen son Wyatt somehow slept through the whole thing.

The story moves between two voices. Courtney is the first, which I struggled with.  Then there is Reese's chapters, it tells of the days since arriving, leading up to that fateful night. There were times I found this story long winded, especially the opening chapters.  Reese's talks about being seventeen, lonely and making questionable decisions for a bit of excitement.

What I wasn’t quite ready for was just how dysfunctional this family really was. Behind the cozy cottage vacation there’s resentment, secrets and the drama gets heavy at times. That made for a lot of suspects, I changed my mind more than once. But it also meant I honestly couldn’t find a single character I liked. Everyone was hiding something or behaving badly, with no one to root for I felt a little more distant from the story than I wanted to be.

Then there’s the ending. I won’t say a word about it, except that I did not see it coming at all. Just when I thought everything had been wrapped up, Kubica pulled the rug out one more time, it was easily the best part of the book for me. It’s the kind of twist that had me wanting to flip back through earlier chapters to see what I missed.

Not quite Local Woman Missing territory for me, the twist won it for me.

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #33

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon

 A sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. 

Grace O’Malley was born to be a sea captain. But despite her natural skill on the water, Grace learns early that her dreams of a life at the helm are not compatible with the expectations of her noble family. As the only daughter of a powerful chieftain, her role is to secure a strong alliance and bear children. But when she’s sent to foster with a nearby clan, Grace falls for a clever and open-minded second son—a man she cannot have.

Married off against her will to a brutal warrior, Grace performs her duty, all the while gathering followers loyal to her, and consolidating her husband’s power, only to be ousted from his lands. But this betrayal offers Grace the opportunity to return to sea, finally leading clan O’Malley’s mighty fleet. Just as she finds true independence, Queen Elizabeth’s incursions into Ireland grow bolder and Grace must fight to defend her land, her ships, and the people she loves most against the cruel and power-hungry English deputies, who will stop at nothing to check her influence.

Keenly observed and fiercely written, Ariel Lawhon's new action-packed novel channels the untamed beauty and harsh realities of sixteenth-century Ireland, as seen through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine who rightly became “the Pirate Queen of Ireland.”

Hardcover, 528 pages

Published September 8, 2026

 by Doubleday

4.5/5 stars

Ariel Lawhon is an auto-read author for me. This time she takes us much further back in history than I’m used to from her, to 16th-century Ireland, a world of clan chieftains, rival families and ships that were as much about power as they were about trade.

At the centre is Grace O’Malley, a real woman who became a legend. As the daughter of a chieftain she was expected to marry well and keep the family alliances strong, but Grace’s heart was always on the water. Lawhon follows her as she pushes against every expectation placed on her, eventually taking command of her clan’s fleet and standing her ground against the English as Queen Elizabeth tightens her grip on Ireland.

Lawhon has a unique way of telling a story - I learned that in I Am Anastasia. Rather than moving straight from beginning to end, the book shifts between three stages of Grace’s life: her childhood, her younger adult years and her later life. It’s a unique approach, I got to see how the girl became the woman, with each timeline shedding light on the others.

That said, the structure did ask a lot. I really had to pay attention to when and where we were in Grace’s life, especially early on and honestly this isn’t a quick read at over 500 pages. There were times it felt long and I could see how some readers might find the jumps between timelines a challenge.

Still, Grace is a heroine worth spending time with. The author brought both the beauty and the brutality of that era to life. Her research was evident. 

If you love historical fiction about fierce women who refused to stay in their place, this one is worth the commitment. 

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #40

Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Welcome to Peachtree a cozy coastal town where family secrets refuse to be washed away by the tide and close-knit community is everything.

Eldest sister Caroline has never been happier. The family business is thriving, her kids are great, and her sister Emerson’s hunky costar has absolutely swept her off her feet. But when her not-quite-ex-husband decides it’s high time he begged Caroline for a second chance, she is thrown into the midst of a love triangle she never saw coming. Caroline is the family fixer and, when her sisters Sloane and Emerson and daughter Vivi need her help with their troubles, she has to decide whether to swoop in and save them—or if it’s finally time to focus on what she wants.

Matriarch Ansley and her new husband, Jack, have finally hit their stride. But when a scandal rips through Peachtree Bluff—and Jack just might be at the center of it—Ansley is left questioning whether the man she has loved since she was sixteen years old, the man she fought so hard to be with, is actually who she thought he was at all.

The air is crisper, the water is calmer, but, when it comes to the Murphy family, nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems... Through it all, these Southern women must rely on their powerful family bonds and the quirky characters and small-town charm of the place that, no matter what, always calls them home. 

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Published September 15, 2026

 by Gallery Books

3/5 stars

I’ve enjoyed Kristy Woodson Harvey’s books, I always know what I’m getting with her: a warm family drama set in a charming small town. This is the fifth book in her Peachtree Bluff series,  I jumped in without having read the first four. I was assured I’d be fine and I was. In fact, by the end I felt so caught up on everyone’s lives that I don’t see a need to go back. I know what happened and where everyone has landed.

This series follows the Murphy family, a mother and her three grown daughters. There is a lot going on, a wedding to plan, a house renovation that won’t stop going wrong, a new romance complicated by an ex who isn’t ready to let go and a town scandal that has the family matriarch wondering how well she really knows her husband. 

Harvey does a nice job of making the Murphys feel like a real family. They bicker, they lean on each other and they show up when it counts. The small town itself feels like a character, the kind of place where everyone knows your business, for better or worse.

That said, this one leaned a bit on the sweet side for my taste. I tend to gravitate toward stories with a little more grit and while there’s drama here, it’s wrapped in a cozy, feel-good package where you never really doubt things will work out.

If you’re looking for a comforting read with strong family bonds and a small-town setting, especially one to curl up with on a fall evening, this one fits the bill nicely.

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

The Unknown by Riley Sager

In 1926, five women disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. Now, one hundred years later, it’s happening again.

Struggling actress Marin Keane is shocked when she lands a role in a major motion picture about the unsolved mystery of New Avalon, an island on sprawling Lake Faraday in Vermont. She’s even more surprised when she learns that the role requires a weeklong research trip to that very spot.

Because New Avalon isn’t your ordinary island. A century ago, it was a commune for spiritual mediums—until they all vanished in 1926. The only trace of them was five dresses hanging from the branches of an old oak tree in the middle of the island, one for each missing woman. Some locals say they simply left. Others think they were murdered. But the prevailing opinion, thanks to a diary left behind by one of the vanished, a young woman named Daisy Rue, is that a séance gone wrong conjured something supernatural that took them all one by one.

Not long after arriving, Marin and her castmates, including legendary actress Violet Wright and white-hot director Ronan Peters, begin to realize all is not right with New Avalon. They hear strange noises in the night and notice mysterious symbols left behind by the island's previous occupants. And after a sudden health emergency leaves Marin, Ronan, and the other actors stranded on the island, the disappearances begin again.

Is it the work of someone trying to derail the movie? Or is the island’s alleged supernatural past catching up with the present? As fear and suspicion mount, Marin turns to Daisy’s diary, hoping it holds the key to figuring out what really happened to the women of New Avalon—and how to keep the island’s terrible history from repeating itself.

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published August 4, 2026

 by Dutton

3.75/5 stars

Riley Sager's first couple of books, Final Girls and The Last Time I Lied, had me hooked, I've been chasing that feeling with each new release since.  One thing I can always count on is that he picks unique themes, The Unknown, is no exception. This time he leans more into Gothic territory than anything I've read from him.

Marin Keane is an actress who has spent her career waiting for a break, so landing a lead role in a major film feels almost too good to be true. The movie is based on a mystery from 1926, when five women living a remote island in Vermont disappear. It has remained unsolved, oh and the island was home to a commune of spiritual mediums. And to get a real sense of the locations the famous director insists the cast live on the island for five days mimicking the characters they are to play. Cut off from the outside world things start to happen, playing the part and living it starts to blur together.

 This was a fast paced read, it moves between Marin in the present day and a diary written by one of the women in 1926. The island setting is atmospheric, especially the séance scenes, the premise of a film crew recreating a century-old disappearance is a clever one. Once the pace of the story shifted so did my reading pace.

That said, though this one didn't recapture the magic of his early books for me, it's still a book I will recommend for the mystery, suspense, supernatural vibes and Gothic feel. There are twists, ghosty vibes and a fitting conclusion.

My copy obtained via CloudLibrary.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Everyone in Fairview knows the story.

Pretty and popular high school senior Andie Bell was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself. It was all anyone could talk about. And five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town.

But she can't shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. She knew Sal when she was a child, and he was always so kind to her. How could he possibly have been a killer?

Now a senior herself, Pip decides to reexamine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent . . . and the line between past and present begins to blur. Someone in Fairview doesn't want Pip digging around for answers, and now her own life might be in danger.

And don't miss the sequel, Good Girl, Bad Blood!

Paperback, 389 pages

Published January 5, 2021

 by Ember

3/5 stars

This one came to me highly recommended, with someone telling me flat out that it was awesome and I needed to read it. High expectations can be a tricky thing going into a book, I wonder if that played a role in how I ended up feeling.

The story follows Pip, a high school student who decides to investigate a years-old murder case for a school project, a case everyone in town believes was already solved. As she starts digging, she uncovers inconsistencies that suggest the wrong person may have been blamed and what starts as a school assignment quickly turns into something far more dangerous.

I did enjoy this one. Holly Jackson builds a solid mystery with enough twists and turns to keep me engaged, Pip is likeable, determined and easy to root for. That said, I didn't fall head over heels for it the way I was told I would. It was a solid read, but it didn't quite reach that unforgettable level for me.

Will I finish this series?  Probably since my granddaughter is reading it, so I forsee some good chats in the future.

My copy was obtained through my local thrift shore and then passed on.

Make Your Story Matter by Abbie Emmons

An Interactive Guide to Unlocking Your Brain's Storytelling Power and Writing a Book Readers Love 

You’ve got a story inside you—but writing it feels impossible.

What if writing didn’t have to be a struggle? What if all you had to do was harness your brain's natural storytelling instincts to craft the book you’ve always dreamed of?

If you’re having trouble bringing your story to life, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you’ve been buried under a mountain of rigid rules, theory, and advice that contradicts itself.

In Make Your Story Matter, writing coach and popular YouTuber Abbie Emmons shares a refreshing new method that fuses brain science with storytelling to help you write a book with heart, power, and impact.

With over half a million writers in her online community, Abbie has helped storytellers all over the world craft novels that resonate using the Who, What, Why Method—a simple but powerful 3-step framework rooted in psychology.

With this method, you’ll learn

Break free from rigid writing rules and harness your brain’s natural storytelling instincts Transform raw ideas into emotionally compelling stories Craft complex, magnetic characters that readers connect with and care about Outline gut-gripping plots that hook readers from the opening sentence to the final page Find your unique voice and make it unforgettable Beat creative burnout and reconnect with the joy of writing Featuring templates, guided exercises, and a printable workbook, this book gives you a repeatable method and a reliable way to stay focused and energized, even when the writing gets tough. By the final page, you’ll have a clear roadmap to writing a story that matters—to you, to your readers, and to the world.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Audible Audio, 9 hours 14 minutes

Published August 11, 2026 

by Brilliance Audio

4.5/5 stars

I listened to this one on audio, narrated by Abbie Emmons herself,  I enjoyed it so much that I went out and bought the physical copy also. That doesn't happen often, but this is a book I know I'll want on my shelf, pencil in hand to reread at a leisurely pace.

Emmons is a writing coach and popular YouTuber,  in Make Your Story Matter she shares her approach to storytelling.   At the centre is her Who, What, Why Method, a simple three-step framework rooted in psychology that helps understand your characters, what drives them and why readers will care. Rather than handing out a rigid set of rules, she encourages tapping into the storytelling instincts we all already have.

Hearing it in her own voice made it feel less like a textbook and more like sitting down with a mentor who genuinely wants you to succeed. Her enthusiasm comes through, I found myself nodding along and wanting to get back to my own writing. I came away with a fresh way of thinking about my characters and what's at the heart of my story. The book also includes templates, guided exercises and a printable workbook, which is exactly why I wanted the print edition. I'm looking forward to working through those worksheets.

If you're an aspiring writer or you've ever had a story rattling around in your head and didn't know where to start, this is well worth your time. And if you can, try the audio and the print copy together. They make a great pair.

My thanks to NetGalley and BenBella Books for an advance audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name comes a riveting novel about the risks we take to protect the ones we love in a world where crisis is always just around the corner.

On September 11, 2001, when Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, her mother went to an appointment at the World Trade Center and never came home. Her father and the stepmother who raised her couldn’t have loved her more, but she still grew up with a healthy dread of disasters.

Now an adult, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. She and her husband, Jesse—a police polygraph expert with his own history of crisis—have found a love that is a solace in a dangerous world. But then the unexpected upends their new marriage, leading them both to question everything they thought they knew.

Moving between past and present, Hollow Bones is an epic story of the lies we tell ourselves as we write the narratives of our lives, the plans we design to protect ourselves at the worst moments, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.

Hardcover, 464 pages

Published September 15, 2026

 by Ballantine Books

5/5 stars

I went into Hollow Bones almost completely blind. All I knew was that it had something to do with 9/11 and that was enough. I've read enough Jodi Picoult over the years to know that her books are twisty, emotional and deals with relevant subject matter.

Hollow Bones centers on Molly Fitzgerald, who was just two months old on September 11, 2001. Her mother went to a meeting at the World Trade Center and never came home. Now an adult, 25 year old Molly has a high paced and high pressure job in Rhode Island's emergency preparedness department, along with her husband Jesse, a police polygraph examiner, face the unexpected and life is shaken up - to put it mildly.

The story is told from two points of view, one in the present day and one in the past, they run together until finally meeting. The many layers to this book and the weaving back and forth is done smoothly. Another reason I love this author's writing.

Picoult is known for you research which yet again shines through.  I came away knowing more about 9/11 than I expected to, and her portrayal of the aftermath is still felt especially with the 25th anniversary on the pages.

This isn't just a story of 9/11 but also motherhood and at the struggles new mothers face in a world that wasn't ready to recognize or talk about them. I really can't say more on this subject (spoilers) suffice to say it was hard to read at times, but it needed to be said.  

Reading as a Canadian, I was struck by how much of that day belongs to all of us. I remember exactly where I was and I think most Canadians my age do. We lost some our own citizens that morning and opened the doors of our communities, like Gander, when the planes came needing to land. This book brought all of that back.

Longtime readers of Jodi Picoult will be surprised (and happy) to see familiar faces from the past.

Hollow Bones is a story of family,  it is an emotional, thoughtful and beautifully researched read. Picoult does it again.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #39

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love in the start of a heartwarming and enchanting new fantasy series.

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

Paperback, 335 pages

Published October 24, 2023

 by Del Rey

3.75/5 stars

I'm always happy to pick up a book by a fellow Canadian, Heather Fawcett has come up with a premise I haven't seen before. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is a clever idea and made for a fun read.

It's 1909 and Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor who is far more comfortable with faeries than with people. She heads to Hrafnsvik, a remote, snowbound village in the far north to study the local Hidden Ones for the encyclopaedia she's been compiling. The story unfolds through her field journal, which gives a front-row seat to her observations, her frustrations and her very dry sense of humour. Her plans are thrown off when her academic rival, the charming and maddening Wendell Bambleby turns up uninvited.

I really enjoyed the world building. The faeries aren't the sweet, glittery kind. They're actually kinda strange, unpredictable and even downright scary. The cold, isolated setting adds to the atmosphere nicely.

The characters are easy to like, the townsfolk with their little quirks and the banter between Emily and Wendell was genuinely witty.  The story itself had that folklore feel, which I love.

This is the first book in a series, so far 4 books.  If you enjoy fantasy with a bit of academic flavour, a slow-burn dynamic between its leads, and a heroine who'd rather be left alone with her notes, I recommend giving this a go.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #37

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

A novel in verse in which a lost dog helps a lonely girl find a way home to her family . . . only for them to find family in each other along the way.

Titi Silvia leaves me by myself to unpack,
but it’s not like I brought a bunch of stuff.
How do you prepare for the unpreparable?
How do you fit your whole life in one bag?
And how am I supposed to trust social services
when they won’t trust me back?

Laura Rodríguez Colón has a plan: no matter what the grown-ups say, she will live with her parents again. Can you blame her? It’s tough to make friends as the new kid at school. And while staying at her aunt’s house is okay, it just isn’t the same as being in her own space.

So when Laura finds a puppy, it seems like fate. If she can train the puppy to become a therapy dog, then maybe she’ll be allowed to visit her parents. Maybe the dog will help them get better and things will finally go back to the way they should be.

After all, how do you explain to others that you’re technically a foster kid, even though you live with your aunt? And most importantly . . . how do you explain that you’re not where you belong, and you just want to go home?

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published September 12, 2023

 by Random House Books for Young Readers

4.5/5 stars

The more I read books in verse I shouldn't be surprised with how much they can say in so few words, Something Like Home is a great example. It's a middle grade book, that deals with some very grown-up realities, Andrea Beatriz Arango handles them with real care.

Eleven-year-old Laura is living with an aunt she barely knows. Her parents are in rehab, and Laura is convinced it's all her fault. And now if she can just make the right choices, she can fix everything and get her family back. When she finds a lost dog, it becomes part of her plan to do exactly that. 

The guilt Laura feels is woven through letters she writes to her parents, they are full of hope one moment and desperation the next. The author herself was a teacher and it shows that she can clearly understands kids as it shines through on the pages.

Something Like Homes is a book that opens up conversations that don't come up often enough in children's fiction: what it's like to have a parent struggling with addiction, when sometimes you have to rely on yourself at such a young age and even how a therapy dog can help a child who can't find the words for what she's feeling. 

This would be a wonderful choice for a young reader, a classroom, or anyone who works with kids going through upheaval at home. And for adults like me, it's a gentle reminder that children often carry far more than we realize.

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #38

The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Newly-moved to the English Cotswolds, Gemma Brown finds a job at the village’s general store and acceptance into a community she soon considers family. With a sharp eye and lively mind, molded by her insatiable love for detective novels, Gemma quickly catches the eye of the local police constable, Harry Charles, and helps him solve cases over pints or sherries at the local pub.

But when Gemma, determined to learn all the “skills” she missed out during a childhood ravaged by WWII, asks the village’s star baker, Ursula Beurton, to give her baking lessons, she starts to notice things that belie the woman’s image as a typical housewife. Is Ursula hiding something or is Gemma’s imagination running away with her?

Yet Gemma knows she does not imagine the two-way radio, uncommon in 1950 and very rare outside military offices, nor she does imagine all the strange places Ursula goes, or the fact that Ursula drops encrypted notes in a tree trunk and pulls envelopes from the same hole. And what about those men she’s seen walking with out the in countryside? Pulling along her new best friend, Peggy, as her faithful sidekick, Gemma begins an investigation of her own to answer a single Is Ursula Beurton a spy?

Following her instincts, and a few skills learned through fiction, Gemma and Peggy soon get on the wrong side of the local constabulary, putting Gemma’s budding romance with P.C. Charles at risk, and become embroiled in an international intrigue involving the village’s mysterious benefactor, Lady Beatrice, British Secret Intelligence Services, and the Soviet KGB.

In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula Kuczynski Beurton, KGB codename AGENT SONYA, turns the tables on Gemma and slips through MI5’s fingers, escaping to East Germany on February 27, 1950. But before leaving, she asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives.

Kindle Edition, 315 pages

Expected publication October 6, 2026

 by Harper Muse

4/5 stars

You know by now that I'm drawn to bookish books, The Undercover Bookshop is my latest bookish read.  Katherine Reay has a knack for building stories around books and people who love them. This time she pairs that with a slice of real Cold War history and the combination makes for a charming and clever read.

It's the winter of 1950, Gemma Brown has recently moved to a Cotswold village. She's read enough mystery novels to know exactly what kind of idyllic village life she wants. The trouble is, she's far better at spotting clues and setting up the village's first bookstore than she is at baking cakes or navigating small-town social rules. When she befriends Ursula Beurton, the village's best baker and a favourite topic of local gossip, Gemma starts to wonder if Ursula might actually be a Soviet spy or if all those novels have gone to her head.

Gemma is an easy character to root for. She's a bit awkward, very determined and her love of mysteries shapes how she sees everything around her. The cozy village setting, complete with nosy neighbours and a brand-new bookshop, balances nicely against the very possibility of real danger simmering beneath the surface.

The Undercover Bookshop has a cozy mystery vibe with a bookish heroine.  There is real historical events taking place, I didn't need to google anything afterwards, the author notes completed this book nicely.

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

Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena

She loves her husband.
But she might love their house more.

Jill and Ted adore their New York brownstone the way others adore their children. They have carefully, expensively, made every inch of it their own. It reflects who they are, their status and tastes. With the grand mahogany staircase and state-of-the-art kitchen, it is the stuff of glossy magazines and real-estate dreams. It is their sanctuary.

So when Ted’s inheritance runs out and he makes a bad investment, they panic. How can they protect their beloved home and enviable lifestyle?

The answer is obvious. Or at least, it is obvious to Jill and Ted. The death of one wealthy family member could solve all their problems. Together, they will get away with murder.

As long as they trust each other.

And as long as there are no surprises . . .

Paperback, 368 pages

Published July 28, 2026

 by Doubleday Canada

4/5 stars

Shari Lapena is an auto-read for me, a Canadian author, I always love seeing her name pop up with something new. 

Getting Away with Murder follows Jill and Ted, a couple whose devotion to their perfectly styled New York brownstone runs a little too deep. When financial problems can no longer be hidden Ted and Jill need a plan for a big influx of cash, that's how obsessed they are with this brownstone.  The steps they take are chilling and what sounds like a good, if not great plan doesn't always go as planned.

What makes this one work is that Lapena doesn't play coy about who's behind the scheme. Instead of building toward a whodunnit, she flips the formula and lets us watch Jill and Ted plan and execute their plot in real time, which somehow makes it more unsettling, not less. Watching two people talk themselves into justifying something so awful and then having to trust each other completely to pull it off, adds a different kind of tension than her usual mystery setup.

This was a twisty story with some genuinely unlikeable characters, but that's part of what made it work. Neither Jill nor Ted is particularly sympathetic and I found myself rooting against them just as much as I was watching to see how far they'd go. I felt like a deer in headlights the whole way through- I struggled to put it down.

Though a reverse of Lapena's usual writing style, this was equalling captivating with its unique story and characters that lack feeling.  

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #32

Stay Buried by Jennifer McMahon

From bestselling author of Children on the Hill comes a queer folk horror in which a woman must confront decades of secrecy and superstition to learn the truth about her mother’s death.

Some towns stay isolated for a reason.

1919: Frankie O’Massey has always been the black sheep of isolated Boone’s Ferry, Vermont. Her uncle, Dr. Thomas Endicott, has been training her in the science of medicine, something the townspeople are wary of. When a mysterious illness strikes the town, and the community suspects supernatural forces, the two desperately search for a logical explanation. Patient zero seems to be the town’s knackerman—a recluse who collects dead and dying farm animals to make use of their parts.

2016: Siblings Ashley and Malcolm lost their mother two years ago. When their grandmother dies, they inherit a property in Boone’s Ferry—a place they’ve heard of but their grandmother has always refused to talk about—and embark on a trip to their ancestral home. The idyllic town is full of autumnal décor, picturesque farmland, and small-town charm. But some of the townspeople aren’t very welcoming—and they have some unsettling traditions, like leaving offerings to a vengeful spirit four times a year.

Kobo Edition, 400 pages

Audiobook, 13 hours, 11 minutes

Published August 11, 2026

 by Gallery Books

3/5 stars

I was lucky enough to grab this one through CloudLibrary the day it was released. Jennifer McMahon is an author I keep coming back to, I like the way she always weaves in that slight supernatural, almost ghostly undercurrent to her stories. It's become something of a signature for her and Stay Buried is no exception.

This story moves between two timelines. In 1919, taking place in the isolated town of Boone's Ferry, Vermont. Frankie O'Massey works alongside her uncle, a doctor, as a mysterious illness sweeps through the town. One the townspeople are quick to blame on supernatural forces rather than anything medical. 

Nearly a century later, in 2016, siblings Ashley and Malcolm inherit a property in that same town after their grandmother's death, a place she'd always refused to talk about. What starts as a quaint, fall visit quickly reveals unsettling traditions the locals have kept alive for generations.

My feelings on this one are mixed.  The opening chapters hooked me right away, it had that creepy, small-town atmosphere vibe.  But the supernatural element itself felt different from what I've come to expect from McMahon, and the book grew repetitive in parts as it went on. There were a few twists and spooky moments but by the end I was left wanting more closure than I got, with some questions still unanswered.

Not my favorite Jennifer McMahon read, but not a read that will stop me reading more of her books.  

My copy was obtain through my local library (cloudlibrary) and the audio through Spodify.

The House with No Keys by Lindsay Currie

This the to The Mystery of Locked Rooms follows the famous Deltas as they race to complete the most challenging escape room they've ever faced...and confront their fears in order to save their friendship.

It's been just over a year since Sarah, Hannah, and West made it through the epic funhouse that changed their lives forever. Since then, the three best friends have been working for Mr. William Taters, the owner of that very funhouse, renamed The Delta Game, and completing every challenging escape room they can.

But then a strange invitation shows up from the ominous and cryptic owner of a new funhouse—The Mystery Mansion.

The Mystery Mansion claims to be the biggest and best escape house ever, and it's opening just miles away from The Delta Game. The mysterious owner has invited the trio to come test it on opening day, offering a ten-thousand-dollar prize if they successfully escape. The prize is exciting, but the three friends don't want to be a walking advertisement for a competitor to their beloved The Delta Game.

But maybe the only way to keep their funhouse in business is to accept the invite, escape the mansion in record time, and show just how boring and easy it is by comparison. The trio arrive on opening day, armed with their "fortune favors the bold" attitude. 

Unfortunately, their plan quickly goes awry. Secrets threaten their friend group, nothing in the house is as it seems, and this time, not everyone is playing fair…

Kindle edition, 250 pages

Published September 30, 2025 

by Sourcebooks Young Readers

3/5 stars

I'll admit up front, this one's been sitting in my queue for a while. It published back in September 2025, and I'm just now getting to it, so consider this fashionably late. Sometimes the back-list wins.

It's been just over a year since Sarah, West and Hannah escaped the funhouse that changed their lives in book one, The Mystery of Locked Rooms. Since then, the trio has been working for William Taters, owner of that same fun house, now branded as The Delta Game.  They tackle every escape room challenge they can find. 

In this sequel, a mysterious invitation pulls them into testing a brand-new escape house nearby, one that claims to be the biggest and best in the business.

This time around, we get a lot more insight into West and Hannah, to what's  actually going on in their lives and why the cash prize for beating this new escape house matters so much to them. Without giving too much away, it adds a layer beyond "can they solve the puzzles."

Overall, The House with No Keys is a solid follow-up that gives its sequel the room to breathe rather than just retreading the first book's formula.  It's a quick read, but not a shallow one, and it left me curious about where the Deltas go next.

My thank you to Sourcebooks Kids for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering," 

announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. 

He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander

Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published March 18, 2014

 by Clarion Books

5/5 stars

I don't reach for verse novels very often, the ones I have read, I have enjoyed.  Such is the case with The Crossover. 

Kwame Alexander tells the story of 12-year-old Josh Bell, aka "Filthy McNasty" to his teammates and his twin brother Jordan. Two basketball phenoms following in the footsteps of their former-pro-player father. On the surface it's a sports story, full of rhythm and swagger on the court. But underneath it's really about family, sibling rivalry with first crushes pulling the twins in different directions. Add in a father whose health is quietly unraveling in the background and you've got a powerful story packed in.

It did't take long to get drawn into this story and I can see why it was the John Newbery Medal winner for 2015.  The short, punchy lines still produced depth and emotions as the story progressed. It's a fast read on paper, but it doesn't feel slight, there's real weight packed into those verses.

It's easy to see why this one took the 2015 Newbery Medal. It's the kind of book that works for reluctant readers and poetry lovers alike and it earns every bit of its reputation as a modern classic in middle-grade fiction.

This book is part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #31

Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft: A Memoir on Writing by Harlan Coben

Bestselling author Harlan Coben offers a look behind the curtain at his own writing process in an inspiring, candid memoir filled with indispensable insights and techniques.

 With 100 million books in print world-wide and over a dozen blockbuster television and film adapations of his work, Harlan Coben has much to teach us about the creative process. Part deeply personal memoir, part masterclass in storytelling, Plot Twist is a refreshingly honest look at the life of a writer whose stories have thrilled us for decades.

Plumbing memories from his suburban childhood and his early years trying to break into publishing, Coben tells his own story for the first time, revealing the real-world inspirations for some of his most beloved characters as well as the innovative plots that drive his propulsive novels. 

Filled with useful tips and techniques on the creative process, Coben does away with the traditional "categories" of writing—characters, plot, setting, etc—and looks at the process holistically. Plot Twist is a masterclass on the act of being a writer, and everything that comes with it: the self‑doubt, the hubris, the contradictions, the passion and dedication. 

At the end of the day, his calculus is a simple one: “If it helps me produce pages, good. If it doesn’t, bad.” This book will help every aspiring writer produce pages. Honest, funny, insightful, and at times deeply moving, this is both a captivating memoir and an essential guide for anyone looking to master the art of storytelling from one of our most beloved authors.

Kindle Edition,312 pages

Published September 8, 2026 

by Grand Central Publishing

4.5/5 stars

I have been a fan of Harlan Coben ever since reading The Boy From the Woods, and have slowly been making my way through both his current releases and his backlist ever since. So getting a look behind the curtain at how he actually writes felt like a real treat.

This is part memoir and part masterclass on writing, and Coben blends the two seamlessly. He talks about his life, how he got started, and where his ideas actually come from, offering real insight into a career that has spanned decades and dozens of bestsellers. There was something genuinely relatable about reading his reflections on certain books, recognizing titles I had already read and getting the backstory behind them added a whole other layer to the experience.

He does away with the idea that there is one correct way to write a book. He rejects the traditional categories some writers try to follow - characters first, then plot, then setting, and instead shows that the process can be messy, nonlinear and different for everyone.

It was such an enjoyable read from start to finish, full of ideas, honest reflection, and a genuine sense of what it takes to build a writing life. This is a book I can absolutely see myself purchasing and reading again.

Whether you are an aspiring writer or simply a longtime fan of Coben's novels, this memoir is entertaining.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Spotlight: Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Welcome to Peachtree a sweet, cozy small town where family is everything. 

The “go-to for elevated beach reads,”

Kristy Woodson Harvey, returns just in time for pumpkin spice season.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Expected publication September 15, 2026 

by Gallery Books

The air is crisper, the water is calmer, but, when it comes to the Murphy family, nothing is ever quite as simple as it seems.

Youngest sister Emerson is busy planning her dream wedding to Kyle. But her difficulty expanding her family is overshadowing her joy. Pregnant middle sister Sloane and her husband Adam’s dream house has turned into a nightmare. Everything is over time, over budget, and Sloane is over it. Eldest sister Caroline, as always, is there to swoop in and get her sisters’ lives under control. Until her focus is more than a little shifted by Emerson’s hunky costar who manages to sweep her right off her feet—just as her not-quite-ex-husband decides it’s high time he begged Caroline for a second chance.

Matriarch Ansley and her new husband Jack have finally hit their stride. But when a scandal that would affect every single Peachtree Bluff citizen comes to light—and it seems like Jack just might be at the center of it—Ansley questions whether he is actually the man she thought he was.

Through it all, these women must rely on their powerful family bonds, and the quirky characters and small-town charm of the place that, no matter what, always calls them home.

Spotlight: The Lost Perfumes of Paris by Christine Wells

Set against the backdrop of mid-century Parisian glamour and the timeless art of perfumery, a captivating tale of resilience, love, and the intoxicating pursuit of passion.

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication September 8, 2026

 by William Morrow

Élodie Limeaux's beloved mother, Aurore, was the most legendary perfumer in France before World War II, renowned for the exquisite fragrances she created for the family company, the House of Limeaux. Now in her twenties, Élodie longs to join the family business. Her father, however, has refused to let her follow in her late mother's footsteps and Élodie has had to fight to become a mere lab assistant at Limeaux. But Élodie plans to enter the Essence of Paris contest run by the French Perfume Institute, hoping that a win will secure investment from Swiss banker Monsieur Caspari, who is looking to launch a new scent for women—and possibly to buy the House of Limeaux. Impressed with Élodie's drive and talent, Caspari agrees to back her, provided that she collaborates with his son, Marcelo. Élodie is forced to agree, although Marcelo strikes her as a wealthy dilettante—albeit an extremely charming one.

When they join forces, though, Élodie is surprised to discover Marcelo's passion for perfume is genuine, his obsession as deep as hers. With Marcelo by her side, Élodie battles family betrayals and corporate sabotage, searching for that elusive essence of Paris that will launch her career...and possibly the love of a lifetime.

Spotlight: Mother Daughter Sister Stranger by Hank Phillippi Ryan

What if your own family history turns out to be a terrifying lie?

Every family has its story, and this one’s deadly.

Two sisters. One secret.

And a race against time to find the explosive truth in this twisty and captivating thriller by USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan.

 

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication September 1, 2026

by Minotaur Books

The sole survivors of the fiery plane crash that killed their parents, Eliza Ramsey and her sister Bea share an unbreakable bond. But now, on the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy, Bea fails to retrieve her pre-teen daughter from a sleepover at Eliza’s.

Eliza knows her sister would never leave her precious Piper behind, and fears the worst. But did Bea plan her own disappearance?

The Ramsey’s lives have already crashed and burned once. Now, Eliza discovers she's the only one who can protect her niece from the horrifying legacy of her family’s sinister history. Together, the two must prevent their lives from going up in flames once again.

A missing mother. Her frightened daughter. And a sister on a desperate search for a happy ending. But someone knows the deadly key to their shared past, and won’t stop until they’ve written a devastating final chapter. Mother, daughter, sister—stranger.

A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin

Two women, bound by blood and betrayal, must break silence across centuries—or be silenced forever.

Lilith Legare’s life is unraveling. Since her mother’s death, strange things have been happening - plants turn toward her touch, animals linger in her path, and the birthmark on her arm has started tingling. Worse still is her recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake.

Her search for answers brings her from Savannah to England, to the decaying Brackenmere Manor where the past blurs with the present. There, Lilith discovers a legacy she never asked for and along with it, the threat of peril. History must be rewritten, or she too will die.

In 1645 Suffolk, Sybil Brantham stands accused as a witch. An educated, wealthy widow, she is branded a threat by men who fear her independence. As arrests begin and suspicion abounds, Sybil must protect her younger sister, even as betrayal takes root within her household.

Across centuries, Lilith and Sybil are bound by blood and by danger. To save themselves, and each other, they must confront the silence that has stolen women’s power for generations—and dare to claim their voices before it’s too late.

Kobo Edition, 380 pages

Expected publication September 1, 2026 

by Hanover Square Press

3.5/5 stars

Madeline Martin steps away from her usual World War II historical fiction with A Time of Witches,  trading the battlefields of the war for the witch hunts of 1645 in Suffolk, England. It is a big departure and for the most part it works.

The story moves between present day Lilith Legare and Sybil Brantham in the 1600s, two women connected across centuries by legacy neither of them chose. I enjoyed the present day storyline and how the links between Lilith and Sybil slowly came together. 

That said, something felt like it was missing for me, though I cannot quite put my finger on what.  Maybe I wanted more time with Sybil before her arrest. We meet her already caught up in accusation and suspicion, and I would have liked the chance to know her as a person first - an educated widow living her life before everything changes for her. That groundwork felt a little thin.

Still, this was an enjoyable read overall. Martin clearly did her research into the witch hunts and the atmosphere she builds is good throughout. 

My thanks to Hanover Press for a digital ARc in exchange for a honest review.