June 2026 Reads

My links are all going to The StoryGraph now, since that's what I'm using instead of GoodReads for tracking (I still have some updates on GoodReads for Netgalley purposes). StoryGraph is Black-woman owned. GoodReads is Amazon owned and fuck billionaires. Please for the millionth time I beg of you, do not buy physical books on Amazon unless they are available literally nowhere else.  

You can find me on StoryGraph here. 

Engrossing Reads

Holy Island (DCI Ryan Mysteries 1) by LJ Ross - I've read a few of the Alexander Gregory series books, but these have me. And there are 24, so I'll be happy to have this series to fall back on. The only thing is LJ Ross books aren't super easy to get in the U.S. paperback, own

Sycamore Gap (DCI Ryan 2) by LJ Ross - Had to stay up until 2 am on a schoolnight to finish 1, destroying my sleep rhythm for the rest of the week, and also start 2 immediately at 2 am because I'm insane. paperback, own

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Apparently the readers are very divided on this one, but I couldn't put this down, and that is what receives the highest mark from me these days. This was wild. OCNJ library hardcover

Some People by Parini Schroff - I loved these characters. This was a much deeper character dive than I've gotten from a lot of books recently, and I didn't realize how much I missed it. I liked how it was told in days also. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

The Season of Sinking by Daphne Woolsoncroft - I spent a lot of time screaming DON'T DO IT, IMOGEN internally throughout this book, and of course she did it, always, so I had to keep reading. This was a ride. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan - If Dervla puts it out, I'm reading it, and I have not regretted that yet, this book included. This one was clever AF. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 21

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men by Danny McBride - This was fun, and it absolutely reads Danny McBride - funny and smart. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Country People by Daniel Mason - With appreciation for the Russian lit lines, the family pets, New England scenes and characters. The actual telling of the story was a little hard for me to settle in with, but a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

Passed the Time Just Fine

Long Island Girls by Gabrielle Korn - My hot take is I don’t think Eliza adds to this book in any way. I very much enjoyed the queer woman coming of age in New York City and the pop culture references (although a little young for me), but I think the summary does this book a disservice selling it as something it is not when what it is is just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

Night Songs by Alli Dyer - Loved the parts set in the past, and every time I came back to the present I was pulled out a bit. Rhea was my least favorite character, so that probably explains it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams - It took me a while to get into the present day, maybe halfway through? Still a solid summer read, Beatriz Williams-style. I loved Punkin. Also loved the inclusion of old characters from a previous book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Killer Vibes (Peter Key 1) by Jack Friday - A queer, stoner, lackadaisical PI reminding me fondly of Archy McNally - solid start to a series. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews - It’s been a while since I’ve read a Mary Kay Andrews book. I enjoyed the story and nearly all the characters in it, but it drug in the middle. Cut out 50-75 pages and it would be golden. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West - Always love a book that highlights the inequities when certain (read: non-white) women go missing, and this book does that. I liked the story and characters. Pacing slowed too much for me from about 1/4 to 3/4, but it was good enough to keep going. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey - This was…a miss for me. I’ve come to rely on a release from her around May or June to be a lighter read and this was a drama llama and an entire pot of ethical shit stew. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

June Baby by Shannon Garvey - Strong start but the pacing was a little slow in this, and it could stand to lose about 75 pages. Still a decent summer story. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Did Not Finish

 Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull - free copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

June 2025 Reads

My links are all going to The StoryGraph now, since that's what I'm using instead of GoodReads for tracking (I still have some updates on GoodReads for Netgalley purposes). StoryGraph is Black-woman owned. GoodReads is Amazon owned and fuck billionaires. Please for the millionth time I beg of you, do not buy physical books on Amazon unless they are available literally nowhere else.  

You can find me on StoryGraph here. 

Engrossing Reads

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Possibly the best TJR book I've read. I zoomed through this and hung on every word. Loved this cast of characters, plotlines, and general subject. OCNJ library hardcover

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman - I’d read 100 more Mrs Blossom books. I read everything by Laura Lippman, but you get it. I heard Laura Lippman discuss this in person on a book tour (with Jana!) and dove right in. A super quick read, I enjoyed it on the beach. Read signed/owned hardcover copy, also got free advanced copy via Netgalley

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley - Heavy, and a continual gut punch, but damn good.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Rage (Kate Burkholder #17) by Linda Castillo - Loved the story and characters as much in 17 as I did in 1. More Kate! Thanks to the invite from Minotaur via Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/8 

We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry - I was glued to this - good writing, really good story. I’m glad this highlighted the disparity between missing white girls and missing Black girls Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch - I loved this, read the whole thing with my heart in my throat. I had no idea what it was about. An appropriate book to finish on the first day of Pride month. Thanks to the publisher for the invite and free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Final Episode by Lori Roy - I couldn’t put this down despite some extra suspension of belief required and several plot lines that felt unnecessary. Read in a few hours on the beach. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce - I loved the Harold Fry series, and while I liked the writing in this, I feel like it drug on and on and on. I didn't love the siblings, and the dad sucked (which is part of the point). Love the Italy setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson - The character of Wendy was whewww. She kept me reading, as did the story in reverse. It did feel a little repetetive at points and I had to read the last chapter twice to make sure I got it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott - This skirted the edge of its potential - loved the three sisters and the parts that read like a chorus narrator, but wish some aspects of the story were fleshed out more

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland - This stressed me out, which is not a bad thing in a book like this. Several surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes - Stories with supernatural elements are not my typical, but I liked this a lot and loved Gwendolyn as a character. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - I liked the story and man is a lot of the subject matter timely. The middle drug a little bit, and I was frustrated with the main character at points but realized I was expecting adult behavior from a kid. I wanted more at the end - it felt like it wound down quickly. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell - Slow mover and some inconsistencies. Still quick, so I read through. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/22

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I like an alternating POV, which this had, and added bonus of alternating first/third person. There was more repetition than I’d like. Not my favorite Lisa Jewell by a wide margin. Books by her typically do not hit my "not for me" category. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson - The main character got under my skin, and the story didn't do enough to take away from that. I finished but considered not finishing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis - No. Free advanced copy via Netgalley. 

Did Not Finish

The Secrets We Keep by AJ Wills - Free after pub copy from Netgalley, original pub in 2022

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson - Free advanced copy via netgalley

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb - Truly an "it's not you, it's me" do not finish. Wally Lamb is Wally Lamb, and the writing shows it. The story is good. I couldn't stomach the incarceration storyline (which he does very well given his work with incarcerated folks through writing workshops) in this increasingly incarcerated nation and under the rule of an administration that is kidnapping people off the street and locking them up without cause OR due process. Free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

June 2024 Reads

TL, DR:

Engrossing Reads

Storm Child (Cyrus Haven #4) by Michael Robotham - Cyrus Haven novels do not disappoint, and that holds for this fourth that reads as a final? Even though I hope it's not. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This Used to Be Us by Renee Carlino - It’s been a while since I read a Renee Carlino and this one shredded me. A good read, definite tears through the last 15%. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 9

Sandwich by Catherine Newman - The way I sunk into this book. A great lit fiction family drama with some unexpectedly humorous parts. OCNJ hard cover

Swan Song (Natucket #4) by Elin Hilderbrand - A bang on solid beach read that moves at the speed of lightening and is as easy to digest. Blond Sharon, I'm rooting for you. OCNJ hard cover

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I loved this story, Becks Saint James is so good she comes off the pages. The whole cast of supporting characters and the town of Beaufort are great too. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Burning (Kate Burkholder #16) by Linda Castillo -  very rarely have complaints about a Kate Burkholder, and #16 continues that streak. Man was I pissed off for her in this one though. Already can't wait for the next. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 9

Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life by Helen Fisher - I adored this book and all of it's characters. These notebooks should be given out to all people. OCNJ paperback

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center - My favorite of hers by far, I loved this story and everyone in it from start to finish. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Same Bright Stars by Ethan Joella - Read this on the beach in a few hours - the perfect setting to read this in. I really liked the chosen family aspect of this as well as the Rehoboth setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 2

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan - I was expecting a certain type of book (more along the line of the author's Maine) and got another one heavy on ghosts. Which is fine, but not my favorite by any means. The one in my mind was a better fit for me LOL. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 2

The Unraveling by Vi Keeland - There was some repetition that started to annoy me when it stopped about 40% through and picked up speed a bit. I did not see a lot a few significant pieces of this coming which is always nice. A quick read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 9

The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin - Big love for this book, even though it overdoes some things as I find a lot of YA novels do. The themes and realities hit though, and I am surprised this is a debut. Very good. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley - I have a roller coaster relationship with Lucy Foley books and we're on an upswing with this one. It kept me reading and I liked the story idea even though some pieces did not connect. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Bad Tourists by Caro Carver - Started with a bang, ended how I like, with some drags and inconsistencies in the middle. Passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 4

Not For Me

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood - This one is a victim of my demand for a fast pace in these types of books - too long on the buildup for the turnout. If you enjoy a slow build, this is probably for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 9

The Next Mrs. Parrish (Mrs. Parrish #2) by Liv Constantine - This did not need to be a book. On top of all of the reasons why, there is also an insufferable 13 year old who is dictating adult behavior in a very hard to believe way based on what went down in the first book. OCNJ hard cover

The Murder Inn by James Patterson, Candice Fox - A big ol' mess and a lot of psychos, the latter of which I usually like but this was a circus. Used paperback, own, passed on to little free library

Like it Never Was by Faith Gardner - The main character made enjoyment prohibitive for me, to the point where I wasn't sure I would finish but did. But I think I'm an outlier here. Hope you enjoy! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes July 2

Bright and Tender Dark by Joanna Pearson - The cogs of the wheel stop turning about a quarter of the way in, and it feels stuck in mud after that. There are several plotlines that don't seem connected to the main, which gives it a kitchen sink feeling. Likely a good for you, not for me scenario. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

n/a

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What have you been reading?