Powerful. Unforgettable. A standout, 5⭐️ debut worthy of all the praise!

Not many books leave me speechless, but this one did. I closed the pages with my heart full to overflowing. And I did something I never do. I started it over. 

I was completely absorbed by the Bright family and their journey through love, loss, and addiction. Their moments of joy uplifted me, and their times of heartbreak devastated me. 

Damoff beautifully showcases the fullness of life— the breathtaking surprises, the everyday mundanity, the earthshattering mistakes. There was a raw honesty to the storytelling. An emotional resonance within the messiness. And it all felt so soul filling authentic. 

Literally, there was nothing I did not love about this book. The characters were genuine and complex, and the writing was immersive. Damoff embraced heavy topics with such a tender touch, and the storytelling was full of humanity and heart. 

This book was so much more than I could’ve expected. A true bright spot in my reading year. I won’t be surprised when this one ends up on my 2025 favorites list. 

It’s a story that will linger in my heart.

🎧 The cast narration for this book by Ferdelle Capistrano, Joy Osmanski, and Lee Osorio was exceptional. The performances were imbued with authenticity and exemplified the emotional resonance within the text. 

Many thanks to my friends at @simonbooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #parnter

Heartbreaking and inspiring.  

Marguerite de La Rocque was born into a life of nobility. But fate and a cruel cousin had other plans for her.   

➡️The synopsis and many reviews reveal details that I found most fascinating by discovering at the author’s hand.  I recommend you go into this one with little more detail than I have outlined above and below.  

A compelling story of resilience and survival, Isola seemed almost too harrowing to be believable.  And yet, the story is steeped in historical fact.  

More times than not, I couldn’t see a way forward for Marguerite.  And yet, this inspiring woman and character proved that faith won out over fear.  I found myself rooting for this unlikely heroine and stirred by her determination and inner fight.  

Don’t miss the author’s note recounting how Goodman learned of Marguerite and her inspiration for writing this novel which includes a nod to her bestseller, Sam.   

This was a haunting story of faith and survival that reminds—women have always been a force of nature!

🎧Fiona Hardingham’s lovely lilt immediately drew me in to this audiobook.  But as the read progressed, I became surprised that a British actor was selected for this French noblewoman’s story. Even so, Hardingham gives a commanding performance that exudes the fullness Marguerite’s emotional experience as well as the brazenness she relied upon to overcome.  

Many thanks to my friends at @thedialpress and @prhaudio for this free #gifted copy of this book.  #partner 

Heart melting, toe curling perfection.  

 

No doubt you’ve seen a review or two about this new favorite.  Truth be told, I don’t read a lot of romantasy, and I certainly do not add new series reads to my TBR readily.  But when I saw @reading.rambo ’s review that this would be THE read of the summer, I took note.  

 

And BOY was she right. 

 

I want to tell you that I was obsessed with the kingdom and the monsters.  (I mean... they were both engaging and worthy of praise.  I have no doubt that true fantasy readers will appreciate the depth and creativity.)  

 

But ultimately, for me, this turned out to be a slow burn romance that I didn’t even know I was pining for. 

 

The feistiness of the redheaded FMC.  The heat that radiated off the broody MMC.  The questions.  The banter.  The training.  The poor excuse for spying.  The way she longed for him, and the way he hated to leave her...though neither was prepared to admit such.  

 

The tension was palpable.  And the way it slowly increased scene after scene had me hanging on EVERY single moment that they were together.  This could’ve made me impatient or exasperated.  Instead, it just made everything burn so much hotter.  And in the end...

 

It.  Was. Worth. The. Wait.    

 

I could not get enough of this book.  Of these characters.  Of their connection.  And now I sit in a book hangover haze wondering... just how long will I have to wait for the next installment?  

 

🎧 The growly narration by Jason Clarke and the bold fieriness that exuded from Samantha Brentmoor’s depiction were stellar when separate.  However, most of the audiobook is duet narration.  As such, the discrepancy between the volume of the two narrators interfered with my enjoyment.  I was constantly turning up or down the volume.  Oftentimes back-to-back-to-back.  

 

 

 

Florez-Cerchiaro well blends history and horror to create this Gothic tale burgeoning with Colombian culture.  

A mansion—lavish and opulent—nestled into a mountainside and overlooking one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region.  Yet, this place—Antonia’s childhood home and the last spot she saw her mother alive—now haunts her dreams.

Based on lore and legend surrounding the real Hotel Del Salto, Florez-Cerchiaro paints a tale rich in the complexities of the past.  The combination of historical detail with mythology and folklore created a compelling backdrop teeming with eerie atmosphere.  

Though the novel begged for stronger characterization within its large cast, it flourished in its rich cultural underpinning that explored colonialism, cultural appropriation, and the role of the Catholic Church. 

With the narrative largely focused on Antonia resisting the norms of society, one of those norms being a woman’s dependence on a man, I found the romance subplot both unnecessary and inconsistent with the messaging.  Even so, this didn’t hinder the other overarching themes.  

Bochica, with its stellar mix of history and horror, proves that Florez-Cerchiaro is a new voice in Gothic literature worth watching!

🎧 I alternated between the print and audio formats.  But ultimately for me, the storyline had a more powerful presence in the hands of these narrators who fully embodied the gothic tones and the tense atmosphere.  If you’re grabbing this one, go with the audio!

Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.

🍿Grab your popcorn!  Finlay delivers another solid binge read high in the entertainment factor.  

It’s parents’ weekend at a small private college along the California shore, and the parents are on hand for the festivities.  But... oddly, the kids are not.  These five first year college students don’t just skip out on the welcome dinner, they seemingly vanish.  

Finlay’s books always feel like the perfect welcome to summer, ideal for a day by the pool.  

They are fast paced and easy to devour with a propulsive plotline.  I know to expect a wild ride full of fun, and Parents Weekend delivered in all regards.  

I was excited to see FBI Agent Sarah Keller back, and with a glimpse at her twins, which she was pregnant with in The Night Shift.  She, once again, proved that the best agents are badass women, even more so as she cultivated fresh talent in the feisty, go-getter intern, Annie.  I hope to see more of BOTH women in future Finlay novels!  

With short, action-packed chapters rife with secrets and drama (don’t be surprised when it’s some of the parents behaving badly!), I devoured this read in no time. And though a bit predictable, I found it to be an entertaining read.  Definitely throw this one in your pool/beach bag!  

🎧 Brittany Presley delivered another knock-out performance. She crafted a distinct voice for each character.  And with such a large cast, that made it easier to transition between POV.  Her narration amplified the suspense and drama and kept me lured in one chapter after another until I had binged the entire read.  

Many thanks to my friends at @minotaur_books @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.  #partner

Witty.  Tender.  Offbeat. 

 

With his trademark brand of humor and heart, Wilson is back with another outrageous storyline that entertains as much as it delights.  

 

Organic farmer, Mad, sold out of eggs.  That’s not unusual.  Neighbors and strangers alike frequented her farm stand.  But something completely new—an unexpected visit from, not a shopper, but a before-unknown half-sibling.  Even more surprising, her willingness to take a cross-country road trip with him in search of 2 other previously unknown siblings.  But PT Cruisers, even if absurd, are made to be filled with family and trekked across many a mile on a journey of discovery.  

 

I’ve come to expect Wilson’s plotlines to be distinct and zany.  (My first foray with him involved combustible children, after all.)  And while I kept shaking my head at the clown-car-eque addition of siblings, I also found myself deeply engaged in watching the seemingly impossible become a warm and uplifting storyline rife with laughter and poignancy.  

 

The true beauty in this read is its eccentric cast of characters.  Each character was fully unique, and yet inextricably linked to the others. From an author to a farmer to a star athlete and a burgeoning film maker.  Stoic yet needy.  Resilient yet broken.  Different and yet innately similar.

These four, once strangers and now siblings, became a family right in front of my eyes—as though a necessary fulfilling of fate.  

 

At its heart, Run for the Hills is a light yet affecting story about what makes a family and how we choose to let family define us.  It’s a look at the ways absence shapes us, and the ways that connection heals. 

 

And while the storyline could’ve explored its themes with more depth and definity, I think this more open-ended assessment allowed broader resonance.  

 

🎧 Knowing this was narrated by the incomparable Marin Ireland, I more-than-willingly used my @librofm credit on the audiobook for a fully immersive, tandem reading experience.  And, as always, Ireland more than delivered.  An exceptional performance, and money well spent.   

Many thanks to my friends at @eccobooks for the free #gifted copy of this book.  

 

Every May, I start to daydream about sun kissed skin, sandy toes, and those warm breezes that come straight off the coastal waterways.  All the while, I’m hunkered down under a cozy blanket in dreary, cold Ohio.

And every year, KWH comes to my rescue.  When Beach House Rules landed in my mailbox, it felt like a pure ray of sunshine directly from my southern, low-country roots.  

Full of charm and utterly delightful, Harvey’s latest book was the serotonin boost I desperately needed! 

It’s full of all the things I love about summer...  Evenings on the beach.  Laughter among friends.  Some dishy drama and a healthy dose of gossip.   It even added a tinge of mystery as a bonus.

But the heart of the novel—and where KWH’s writing really shines—is in the women supporting women focus.  The cast of characters is made of richly crafted, multifaceted women.  Each with flaws.   Each with hardships.  But together, they form a steely bond steeped in respect and comradery.  They shun judgement and bring out the best in each other.  

This book is an ode to sisterhood and found family.  It’s a celebration of womanhood and the strength found in lifting each other.  I cheered for these women and found myself wanting to be a part of their mommune.  

The best summer rules are no rules.  But if you need just one—throw this book in your pool or beach bag!  I’m certain it’ll enchant and uplift you, just as it did me!  

🎧 The three narrators—Cassandra Campbell, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, and Suehyla El-Attar Young—bring this character driven book to life.  The distinct depictions of each character well embodied each fully realized arc and conveyed the warmth within the storyline.  

Many thanks to my friends at @gallerybooks @simon.audio and @uplitreads for the free #gifted copies of this book.

Tense.  Gory.  Impactful and thought provoking.  

“Wuhang was the epicenter of body bags and NYC was the epicenter of anti-Asian hate crimes.”

Part ghost story, part serial killer mystery, part unflinching commentary on how our worst fears can lead to illogical fear and blame.  Bat Eater is a deftly layered story that’s as gruesome and intense as it is original and affecting.  

This is the kind of story meant to be told through horror elements!  

Haunted by her sister’s murder...and maybe even her sister’s ghost...Cora grapples with fear. Fear of the germs killing people.  Fear of the hungry ghosts wanting fed.  And fear of a serial killer targeting Asian women.  

Baker has delivered a suffocatingly intense narrative that is rife with uncomfortable truths.  The complex storyline skillfully explores the inner turmoil of grief and trauma Cora faces while also expounding upon the external turmoil of seeing Asian women hunted and brutalized.  It’s no surprise that the writing is raw and provocative to match the tone of the read.  And while the richly crafted characters and the dark humor sometimes offset the sense of foreboding, the narrative never quite let’s go of its sinister nature.

This is a rage filled horror novel that is meant to evoke deep feelings.  And for me, Baker well delivered through this perfect blend of Chinese lore and incisive commentary.  

🎧Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zang is an Earphones Award winner, and with GOOD reason.  It’s narrated by the incomparable @natalienaudus who delivered an engrossing performance that captured the fullness of the emotion and breathed life into Cora Zang.

Many thanks to my friends at @_mira_books_ @htp_hive @htpbooks and @htpbooks_audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #partner

Brutal.  Timely.  Impactful.

 

I finished this book last night and still feel completely raw.  My soul aches. 

 

Who are we?  Are we defined by one moment in time or the sum of our deeds?  Does all good become void in the shadow of a life-altering mistake?  Are all mistakes forgivable?  Justice or punishment?  

 

Those are some of the many questions I’ve ruminated on since finishing The River is Waiting. 

 

The storyline follows Corby, a dad incarcerated following a tragic accident, on a journey through guilt and grief.  It’s a fight for survival and forgiveness.  It’s a look at a life scarred by one horrendous moment in time that begs the question as to whether a person can be both deeply flawed yet innately good.  It’s a rich portrait of a fully complex character. 

 

As this book unfurled, I became keenly aware that the narrative felt deeply personal to Lamb, who volunteered at a correctional facility for two decades.  The writing is intimate and honest.  But with the narrative hard to stomach, I often found myself mired in the slowness of the plot.  There was a lot of layering that felt important and impactful.  And yet, at nearly 500 pages, a better edit could’ve helped the pace and kept me more engaged in the middle section.  But what to cut...?

 

Most importantly, Lamb provides a necessary reflection on how we view other people— who we willingly seek justice for verses who we judge; who we willingly extend empathy to verses who we refuse to see as human; who we allow to make mistakes verses who we sternly expect more of; and who we choose to SEE verses who we choose to overlook.  

 

I am so thankful that @rachelllovesbooks and I read this one together.  I desperately needed to unpack the range of emotion I felt after finishing this book.  

 

The River is Waiting will stay with me for some time.  It’s deeply impactful and a necessary reminder that we are all more than the boxes or labels we get assigned.  

 

 Many thanks to my friends at @marysueruccibooks for the free #gifted copy.  #partner

Shocking and unsettling.  This debut delves into the dark side of social media with wry humor and an over-the-top plotline.  

I closed this book thinking, “What the hell did I just read?!” This book was a truly WILD ride that I did not expect.  

Julie is a nobody.  She’s broke and barely living.  Her life is far from full.  Her twin, Chloe, is a mega-influencer known to millions and living a lavish lifestyle that is the envy of all.  So, when Chloe suddenly dies, Julie decides to ditch her boring life and take on Chloe’s vibrant one.  

With short chapters, I flew through this book. While the first half focused in on Julie’s psyche, the second part took a disturbing turn into a cult frenzy.  The story was thrust from dark tones into the truly sinister, and the plotline became fully unhinged.   

The commentary was sharp in the beginning but somewhere along the way it started to meander and took on a less biting, more confusing nature towards the end.  However, I did appreciate the look at identity, race, and influencer culture.  

Be forewarned:  chapter 50 is immensely gross and not for the faint of heart.  I almost vomited.  I wish I had skipped it.  (If you want to skip it but also want the deets, message me.)

I was glad to have read this with friends @bookmarked.by.becky and @rachellelovesbooks because this book demands discussion.    

This made for an unsettling read that I couldn’t put down. But... was that because I enjoyed it, or I just couldn’t look away??? I’m still not sure.  

🎧 The audiobook was narrated by Yu-Li Alice Shen.  She well captured the utter desperation and neurotic tones of this storyline.  There was an anxiety laced tension to her narration, particularly in the WILD second half, that kept me engaged even in those uncomfortable or questionable scenes.  

Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #partner