I reiterate - I want my future house to be this cool. But minus all of the murder at my book club, definitely prefer that to remain strictly on the page. In the follow up to Under Lock & Skeleton Key, we follow Tempest Raj as she continues to research the mysterious murders that plague her family. This one is particularly corvid themed and centers around a mystery classics book club. I loved all of the references to authors like Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr, but also the frequent references to magic. I feel like this book did a particularly good job with its supernatural focus, as well as adding intrigue with the reintroduction of an old fiend from the previous book. Where this is going overall, I'm unsure... but you best bet I'll be along for the ride.

*Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm honestly sad because I really wanted to like this book. It features tropes like found family and friends to lovers, as well as countless movie references. What didn't work for me were Eli and Leah as characters. Eli spends the first half of the book whining about a girlfriend he had for 4 months, who literally left him high and dry with her CAT, while Leah is working a million jobs and just kind of flopping around like a noodle. And even if you do get invested in their love story, you only get to see them kiss before it fades to black. And not even a super steamy kiss either... I did enjoy the side characters and would hope to see Gray and Delia get a book of their own, this one just might not have been for me.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Ultimately this is a literary fiction book disguised as a thriller and I wish I'd known that going in. We follow Clare as she attempts to ingratiate herself with a popular clique in Edinburgh, only she quickly gets in too deep. Clare herself is a bit of an unreliable narrator throughout, both in what we find out about her past and in her minor descent into madness. I'm still not entirely sure what was real and what was imagined. Fans of The Secret History will likely enjoy this book, that just wasn't me.

*Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

My heart is so full of thinly sliced coprolites and gin and tonics right now, I swear. Full disclosure, I haven't read Need S'more Time yet (but you best believe it is en route to my house right now). BUT the good news is that you don't need to read it to fully enjoy Curated. This book is full of banter and steam, all that rivals to lovers goodness. Also we stan a ripped female lead, especially when she has generalized anxiety disorder like me. Nellie Wilson does a phenomenal job of describing the spirals we go down when we're having an anxiety attack - namely the research on research on research. And none of Emmy's neuroticism gets explained away or miraculously "cured" when she starts seeing Ryan, rather we get to see how he interacts with it and adjusts.

Also can we talk about the museum? Because the general war between STEM and the humanities is *SO* real and getting to see a bit into behind the exhibits was downright delightful. Really this book has something for everyone and I can't wait for y'all to read it. Get ready for a shoulder-biting good time.

*Thank you to Nellie for the gifted ARC*

I loved the little Easter eggs for Sadie on a Plate, but this book definitely stands on its own. As an "influencer" myself, I really enjoyed seeing Julie's process for her food blog and various platforms as well as the debates with Bennett over the value of it. Also the FOOD - I was drooling the entire time. Like yes please let's go to tapas. They have such a fabulous rivals to lovers story, though I wish we got to see some of the steam, with the classic 3rd act break-up. I also enjoyed Emerson Leigh, Alice, and Kelsey throughout. Any one of them could get a book of their own and I'd happily read it.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

A YA thriller with a podcast angle is bait for me. I really enjoyed seeing them develop the podcast and delve into Clarissa's disappearance, especially when we got to see the final interviews in writing. There were so many subplots unfolding throughout and it was hard to know where to look. The build-up to the reveal was a little questionable at times - mostly because I wanted to understand the motive and how they got away with it more - but it was still compelling. I'd be interested to read another book about Blair and Cam, as there are still more mysteries in Oreville to solve!

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Hello Maureen Johnson, I love you. It feels Agatha Christie-esque with the parallel crimes in the English countryside, but has Maureen Johnson's classic Easter eggs. While detached from the Truly Devious trilogy, I love these one-offs with Stevie Bell. There were so many little details that lead you to the final culprit, though I definitely missed all of them. We're talking Knives Out levels of blink and miss it and I savored every minute of it. I'm also convinced that each of these books should come with a murder board so you can track all of the clues you find. If you haven't read any of these yet, I deeeefinitely recommend trying this one on for size! (Except for the whole being spoiled on the first 3 books, it's fine)

Is it weird that I wish my mom had put me in piano lessons now? Because the descriptions in this book were lit! I loved all of the representation in this book, especially in that Miles's friends and family are so supportive of his transition. And I love a character not being retraumatized by being publicly deadnamed, outed, or assaulted just for the sake of a plot. Watching Miles and Eric fall in love with each other and themselves was adorable, I just want to give them so many hugs. This is such a heartwarming LGBT love song and everyone needs to read it.

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This felt like a real romance, one that could easily have happened in real life. It's gritty and doesn't shy away from the ugliness of love. I can't really put into words how much I simply adored this book. The idea of finding your person when you're 13 and spending your summers falling deeper in love is literally precious. It's less about the steam and more about the slow burn as Sam and Percy come to terms with their feelings. What makes it even more hard-hitting is the context under which they're reunited. It's definitely a heartbreaker and explains why I was uncontrollably crying last night. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to feel a little something and wants to spend their summers on the lake.