There’s something about Jessica Goodman’s storytelling that keeps me reading as much as possible in one sitting. This book was no exception!

Another gripping, dark academia murder mystery that will capture your attention right away and not let loose until the conclusion!

This story centers around Amy, a senior star soccer player attending the prestigious Meadowbrook Academy a prep school set in a small Connecticut town. The morning after a rager where Amy and her best friend, Sarah, are seen fighting, she wakes up to find the dead bodies of Sarah & her boyfriend in their shared dorm suite.

We also get the POV from Liz, a rising journalist trying to uncover facts about the incident while also finding her big break with a story to tell along the way. 

The writing paired with all the secrets and underlying information slowly revealed made this book SO easy to binge. If you’re looking for a darker toned quick + entertaining read, you should definitely give this book a try! 

What seemed to be a very surface level book at first actually turned out to be a pretty heavy multilayered story about identity and the complexities of growing up. 

The first chunk of the story features an epistolary format of many suicide notes written by one of the sisters this book follows, Sigrid. We get to understand the chaos within her brain, her story of self and why she decides to follow through. 

Then we switch perspectives and get personal with her sister, Margit. She grapples with the aftermath of Sigrid’s choice and how that affects someone’s everyday life. 

I don’t want to say too much because it’s a shorter read but the twist in here caught me off guard and shocked me more than recent thrillers I’ve read. 

Overall I thought this quirky and dark (but light in tone) novel was a pleasant surprise that had me relating to some of the things discussed. I had a few existential moments as a result but that speaks to the authors talents. I will definitely be picking up more from Austin in the future!

This was a slice of life novel over the course of three days following Gail as she prepares for her daughter wedding. 

A reflective novel with humor woven in that will have you pondering about life’s ups and downs and leaving you with a sense of hope.

CCJ is quickly becoming a favorite author. I ate this up!

More thoughts to come.

✨Tropes✨ 
-Billionaire romance 
-Marriage of convenience 
-Angst
-Secrets and betrayal 
-A Badass FMC x Alpha Hero 
-“My wife”
-Protective & Possessive MMC 
-Touch her & die

This couldn’t end fast enough!!! There was no reason this needed to be over 500 pages. The lack of world building, knowledge of the magic system, and blatantly obvious similarities to other fantasy stories made this a terrible reading experience. 

Rilzy can write the SPICE🔥 and she doesn’t waste any time.

This was a quick & spicy second chance romance novella. Heavy conversations on infertility so keep that in mind, but I enjoyed this story about two ex spouses finding their way back to each with the help of their (soon to be married) siblings.