reading_under_covers's Reviews (1.61k)

This is definitely one of those books that works best on audio and if you’re already a fan of Jo’s work (imo)!

She brought fun energy and comedic timing to the audio recording that did a huge service to the story.

Huge thank you to BookSparks for sending me a copy of THE LILIES for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge! 🎾☀️

This book blends elements commonly found in thrillers and adds a nice sci-fi twist into the mix in the form of a time-warp closet 🕰️

I loved getting to know our four main characters (and another one from the past 👀), the Lilies society added so much intrigue, and the prep school setting really wrapped it all up nicely! 

Literally no desire to finish this one. It’s been on my tbr for ages and the story isn’t making me excited to come back to it.

This is my second read by Darcy and she’s definitely nailed the cozy paranormal mystery sphere!

This one wasn’t as spooky as my previous read (Gallows Hill) and it very much felt like the setup to a longer series, which it is, but it lacked a bit for me because of that. 

An intriguing read, but missing a bit of substance for me to rate it higher!

High school sweethearts Ryan and Alison are out on Lovers Lane one night when Alison is abducted and Ryan is left with barely any memory of what happened. Five years later, Alison’s car is pulled from the lake with two dead bodies in it, and the new Deputy Sheriff, Poppy McGee reopens a case long assumed to be closed.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME is the latest from Alex Finlay and just as bonkers as his other works.

We’re going international with this one, bopping from Kansas to Philly, to Italy, England, and France, and covering dozens of characters in between!

I honestly tend to really enjoy large cast thrillers (this one was no exception) and seeing how everyone’s stories came together in this story was very fun.

The mystery was intriguing, there were plenty of characters to root for (and roll your eyes at), and the addition of a cypher was an added bonus! I also flew through this one - it’s a quick read!

I did occasionally lose track of some of the storylines and their cliffhangers ( we’re covering a lot of ground in some very short chapters here!), which might have dulled the effect of some of those moments.

All in all, a Finlay read that I think a lot of his readers will enjoy!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 28

This one is probably my favorite since Red Rising (that one was so great, I feel like it’s hard to top).

The humor was fun, but I’m really tiring of all of the battles 😅

If you love small town mysteries then this one is for you!

I loved the small town resort setting in this book - what better place for a murder mystery to take place than on the brink of spring in northern Minnesota?! 

I loved the town traditions and the visiting of characters for the first time, but still feeling like they were people you've known your whole life!

This book is hugely a study on the sibling relationship and I loved exploring the intricacies of Liv and Gabe's estrangement and what elements were needed to bring them back together.

Publication Date: May 21

SHADOWS IN THE STACKS is a horror anthology published in cooperation with Spirited Giving, to benefit the San Diego Library Foundation 📚

I want to give a huge thanks to Shortwave Publishing for letting me read this one early - out MAY 28! 🗓️

I always find it tricky to write reviews for anthologies because my opinion varies from story to story, but the standouts in this one were exceptionally strong!

Here are some highlights for me:

- Nathan Ballingrud’s Haunting Horror Recs by Clay McLeod Chapman
This story was for the author fangirls and brought about those younger years of road tripping with your friends. The shock and awe of meeting someone you admire was strong with this one!

- Satanic Panic: On Ice by William Sterling
A fun play on taking one’s kids to see a musical group (The Wiggles) on ice. What seems like innocent fun, turns into a demon-summoning night for all!

- Moira by Jamie Flanagan
A heartbreaking look at the loss of childhood and the speeding up of time. An existential scary story that will sit with me for a while.

- We All Go Through Changes by Jonathan Mayberry
Team Jacob unite!! This was such a fun and empowering wolf story, rooted in family and tradition.

- Benchman Financial’s Debt Relief Program by Vincent V. Cava
A satirical look at a cult built on wealth and taking advantage of those with less than them. Another fun story that ended on a very positive vibe!

- In Every Dream Home a Heartache by Tim McGregor
A fuckin fantastic haunted house story. 

- When They Come For You by Douglas Ford
A scarily realistic story about what it’s like to be a woman in America. Reality and horror or so easily intertwined.

I think no matter what kind of horror reader you are, you’ll find a story in here that spooks you a bit!

When Louise becomes the newest student at Highfield Manor, an elite private school, she feels like a fish out of water. Being from a lower class, she’s immediately seen as an outsider and when she starts digging into the school’s secrets, she finds there are much higher powers at play. Thirty years later, Lou is contacted by a lawyer wanting her to testify against the same school in a big case - will she confront her past and find out what really happened all of those years ago?

WHEN WE WERE SILENT by Fiona McPhillips is such a strong, powerful debut suspense.

This book has the darkness and snark of an Irish novel, which I loved, and the fish-out-of-water private school setting was done so well!

I enjoyed the alternating timelines and seeing everything slot in place - this is one of those stories where, as a reader, you find yourself yearning and needing some justice and that feeling really helped build the suspense.

Highly intrigued by what McPhillips cooks up next!

Thanks to Flatiron Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 21

This book is a fun intro into the character of Miss Marple!

I didn’t much care for the mystery and the way it was resolved, but it was fun to see the main characters interact - love the Vicar and Griselda’s relationship!