Maybe this will feel different than the author’s last novel to some readers. For me it quickly felt repetitive, formulaic, and since this sub genre isn’t my favorite it was an easy DNF. 

This book is weird and I'm not sure who to recommend it to. I enjoyed it as it was told in a retrospective voice from the narrator who has experienced an unclear tragedy related to conceiving and giving birth. Central to the story is IVF and infertility, which makes it very relatable for many readers. But as the story progresses, I think some aspects of the plot could be unsettling to those who have experienced conception/pregnancy related trauma. 

The build towards the end is full of many red herrings, many of which seemed so plausible. I liked the ending, but it also felt so... convenient? Over the top? I have no regrets, but if you read this you have been warned. It's weird, it's spooky, it's dramatic, it's a lot. 

I loved the first book, Stillhouse Lake. In this second book of the series, the style shifts from one narrator to multiple POVs. The first book is told entirely in the first person from the perspective of the main character, Gwen Proctor, formerly Gina Royal and ex-wife of a serial killer. 

In this novel, we read from the perspectives of Gwen, Sam, Lanny, and Connor. I can absolutely understand why the author made this shift and it did bring a lot of new knowledge to the reader and made me feel more connected to those characters, but it also seemed to slow down the narrative. This book was much, much slower moving than Stillhouse Lake. 

By the last hundred pages, I was interested again and it stopped feeling like a slog, but I'm not sure I'll continue this series. 

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one because I'm not really into aliens, but Out There surprised me in some great ways. I was drawn in by the art style, and it definitely is appealing and fun. Searra Miller also tells a great story through the lens of a dad who was "abducted by aliens" to talk about divorce and what it's like to love someone who doesn't make sense to you. 

Adorable, fun, and realistically sweet, this is worth a read. 

I'll let you read the synopsis and just go for vibes and observations here:

-This was set in the modern era and combined with the family's history and the history of magic, that created some really cool scenes and atmosphere.
-The perspective shift half way through was built to nicely and really kept me tuned into the second half. 
-This family is flawed and beautiful, and the twist with the parents was well done to me- and not just in a literary sense. 
-I think this is great for people who love a family drama and a mystery with some magical realism, I don't think you need to be a fantasy reader for this to be approachable. 

I was invited to read an ARC of The Stranger Upstairs and I am so, so glad I gave it a chance. The description put this book a bit outside my comfort zone as I anticipated it might lean towards horror. However, this is a solid mystery/thriller with a lot of extra creepiness factor from the "murder house" that the MC buys with plans to flip. 

Sarah Slade is a self-help writer and a therapist, and this murder house is her newest project. She plans to use her social media to share the renovation process and hopefully make some extra money. But things start going awry very quickly, and soon we learn that Sarah and her husband Joe have a lot of secrets that they are hiding- and running from. 

I love that I went into this one with very little knowledge of the plot. This synopsis is just what it should be, an enticing tease of what is to come and not too much information at all. Full of juicy secrets and twists big and small, this one was such a fun ride and one I couldn't put down. It was both a popcorn thriller and one with a bit more depth, especially through the lens of the author's note. The only small critique I have is one loose thread at the end, but I don't think a good book has to tie everything up. And maybe it was intentional! Lastly and the icing on the cake, I've never read this final twist before. Given how many books I read in a year and that this is in my top genre, that's huge! 

Don't miss this one. I can't believe it's a debut and I am truly sitting on pins and needles waiting for Lisa Matlin's next novel. 

Don’t Forget the Girl is a character driven serial killer mystery that focuses on one victim and the friends and family left behind. This novel beautifully flips the true crime script and brings to life messy, dynamic characters. 

Abby, Chelsea, and Bree were best friends for so long. When they went to college together, they thought all their lives were just beginning. But in the fall, Abby went missing. Years later a serial killer named Jon Allen Blue went to prison for several deaths, not including Abby’s but it is suspected that she was one of his victims. 

Told from the current perspectives of Bree and Chelsea who are both over 30 and total messes and the past perspective of young Abby, we learn about the love and secrets the girls shared while the narrative moves closer to Blue’s execution. 

This story compelled me to keep reading. I loved the flawed characters, the tension of the secret, and the way the author made clear but not over handed commentary of how our society centers male criminals. This is absolutely for fans of Notes on an Execution and The Night Flowers. 

Also, I read this weeks ago and I can still remember all the character names so that means a lot. 

With Regrets is an unputdownable genre bending story about the end of the world coming for a group of suburban neighbors. Liz and her husband have recently left NYC and are invited to a party hosted by their new neighbor and social media influencer, Britta. Liz doesn't want to go and she's worried about leaving her kids with a relatively young babysitter, but reluctantly they head to the party. After barely a glass of champagne, the disaster begins. 

In equal parts sci-fi, end of the world, and suburban drama, Kelly has crafted a story that will appeal to so many readers. I enjoyed every minute of this book, and my only quibble is that the final wrap up was a bit quick and tidy. But don't fear, the epilogue removed some of that glossy clean. 

As usual, I recommend heading into this one with very little information and having a blast as it all surprises you. 

Bye, Baby. The title work on so many levels. Whew, this one was another great novel by Carola Lovering. I discovered her earlier this year and have flown through several of her titles. I was so excited to get approved for this ARC. 

In this slow burn but constant tension psychological story, we read from the points of view of Billie and Cassie. They've been best friends since middle school, but they've been estranged for the last couple of years. When happenstance brings them closer together, one of them makes a terrible choice. This ill advised choice relaunches their friendship, and we alternate between their current perspectives and chapters about their past friendship. Piecemeal we learn about what brought them together and what drove them apart. If you like messy but not totally unlikeable women, you'll love this one. 

I'm rating this high, but I have to be honest. The last twenty percent was both un-putdown-able and completely cringe worthy. I had to read as fast as possible both to know what would play out and to reduce my chameleon like social anxiety. Uncomfortable, yes, but also a testament to the story that Carolina Lovering has crafted. 

If Lovering isn't on your TBR, she should be. This one doesn't come out until March, so go hop on her fantastic backlist titles like Too Good to be True and Can't Look Away.