thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)

I don’t even know where to start with this one. Kill Your Darlings is a captivating, clever psychological thriller, and Swanson absolutely deserves all the praise for it. If you can, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook; the narrator did a phenomenal job and truly brought the characters to life. If you’re a fan of thrillers, just read this book. Go in blind and enjoy the wild, twisty ride.
(PUB DATE: 06/10/2025)
(I received an audio recording of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Only the Guilty Survive had so much potential - a fictional cult preying on young college students, a town forever tied to the group’s mysterious downfall, and a lone survivor grappling with the past. Unfortunately, the execution just wasn’t there. The protagonist, Claire, is the cult’s only known survivor and is pushed to finally search for answers when a true-crime podcaster revives the case a decade after the tragedy. Unfortunately, Claire felt completely one-dimensional. I never formed even the slightest emotional connection with her, which made it difficult to stay invested. It’s hard to enjoy a book when you don’t care about the character whose perspective dominates the narrative. On top of that, the ending was confusing (and lazy). Overall, this one was a flop for me.

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received an audio recording of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

How to Pronounce Knife is a short story collection that explores the experiences of Laotian immigrants and refugees. My favorite pieces were Picking Worms and Randy Travis. This is an important collection, especially given the current xenophobic policies and practices in the United States, and it belongs in every library collection

I had so much fun reading this book! Dara has crafted a funny and lighthearted story that still manages to touch on more serious themes, such as death and loneliness. The characters are all incredibly well-rounded and distinctive (a special shout-out to Kathy’s retired work friend, Jo, who was hilarious). I’d recommend this title to fans of the Finlay Donovan series, as it shares a similar blend of mystery and humor.

Enemies-to-lovers isn’t usually my favorite trope, but in this book, it absolutely works. After watching Teddy and Gus trade barbs in the first two books of the Rebel Blue Ranch series, I was more than ready for their love story, and it did not disappoint. Every moment had me hooked, from their fiery romance to the heartfelt connections they each share with Gus’s daughter, Reilly. Congratulations, Gus Ryder - you’ve officially earned a spot in my book boyfriend hall of fame.