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?

April 2025 Reads

A good way to boost your reading and absolutely eat books is to find yourself awake in the night hours due to a sundowning dog. 

Annnnyway.

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

Poetry is Not a Luxury: Poems for All Seasons by Anonymous - Maybe you're familiar with the Instagram account? Loved this collection and its dedication to Audre Lord. Also loved seasonal categories. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, pre-ordered to own, book publishes 5/6

Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis - I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, it felt fresh. Harmoniously brutal and beautiful. Loved the writing and the story and the things it made me think about regarding native lives and what we’ve done to them on this soil. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler - I couldn’t put this down, which is few and far between these days. A constant scrunching up and unraveling of characters and plot. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/26

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff - For about 30% of this book, I was thinking it was one that was going to build to nothing but be one I enjoyed anyway, because the writing and characters were hitting. 

But the last 45% of the book was like being attacked in the best way possible.  I didn’t know what to expect after a plot trigger point and it was all the things. Like simultaneously being gut punched and also bear hugged. I loved this book and stayed up until 1 on a school night to finish. Appreciate the care the author took in writing about alcoholism and the conflicting feelings that come with loving an alcoholic.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Heartwood by Amity Gaige - I couldn’t put this down. Read it in a day and stayed up late to finish. Thanks to Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Kills Well with Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by Deanna Raybourn - I'd read 100 books about this crew of osenior female retired hired killers. OCNJ library hardcover

When She Was Gone by Sara Foster - This felt a little like coming in on the second book in a series, but we were caught up on the background quickly. If it was a series, I’d continue with it. Well paced and a little more character focused than a thriller typically is. I liked The story and layers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Thrashers by Julie Soto - Definitely YA but definitely kept me invested. There were some parts that were a little draggy and heavier topics than I was expecting. I'd read an entire other book of JodiJulian even if the genre was different. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein - Lots of old pain and new pain in here. Several characters were difficult to like and made awful decisions but I appreciated their growth throughout. A quick read. 

Thanks to Netgalley via publisher invite for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/13

Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell - I love a crew of eccentric characters, which helps when I don't love the main character. I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but was pulled in by the title. No regrets. Deeply weird, funny, and touching as hell at points. A quickly consumed read in a few hours on the beach on Easter. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6 

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari - I love a book set in the publishing world, and this one had added depth as the main character brought an Iranian woman POV to overlay on that world. I appreciated the UK POV on ethnicity and aggressions in the workplace vs. the American POV I typically see. I also liked the relationship of the two main characters and the writing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Somewhere Past the End by Alexandria Faulkenbury - I love a cult book and enjoyed the two perspectives. A little slow and trips over itself in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/20

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay - Lots of moving parts here, and I’m  not sure all of them were necessary.  This could’ve used more of a backstory on some pieces. My least favorite Finlay so far, the pacing felt off in comparison to previous books. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Every Sweet Thing is Bitter by Samantha Crewson - This was a tough read - just awful on awful family shit in here. I  was rooting for Providence. A few lags in the pacing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer - I loved the 90s vibe and the nostalgia of that summer between high school and college which, at this point, is hazy in my mind as best so it was nice to poke at those memories through this book. And a little magical realism never hurt anyone, I've not read a book like it. I wish more time was spent on the friend group dynamic. Definitely reads YA, as that's what it is. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not For Me

Midnight in the Orchard by the Lake by Matthew Sullivan - I feel like I missed something here. Maybe the mysticism is beyond me, or I wasn't in the right mood. This felt slow and confusing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni - I’m a fan of this series, but this was probably my least favorite. I think The pacing was impacted by the spaghetti western shooting points and all the shooting in general. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/27

Did Not Finish

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis - Free advanced copy via Netgalley, invite from publisher, book publishes 5/20

Discipline by Marc Avery - Free advanced copy via Netgalley, book publishes 5/27

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What have you been reading?

March 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

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange - I read this in a day and it had a hold on me. Emotional, like leaking tears a little close to the end without even realizing it. OCNJ library hardcover

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker - Dark and honestly not my typical as I don't delve much into horror-ish books but I loved the writing and sped through this. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith - The morning I started this, I wanted to take the day off of work and read it through but alas life happens and that's not always possible. I loved The Unsinkable Greta James by this author and this one was a love too. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney - I've not had a good go of it with recent Alice Feeney books so I was pleasantly surprised by the hold this one had on me. It's quick moving and held my interest throughout. OCNJ library hardcover

The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan - I'd read a series with Julia Harte, but I'm not sure that's in the cards here. I love a mystery set in Ireland and this one was a speedy read for me. OCNJ library hardcover

Trust Me on This by Lauren Parvizi - I grew to love these sisters despite what initially annoyed me about both and always love a road trip as a setting for a book. Even if it's actual big life check things off the list road trip over the see these things road trip. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Husband Missing (Josie Quinn #22) by Lisa Regan - At 22 books in, Regan continues to deliver in the Josie Quinn universe, and when I reach the end of a book I'm happy she puts them out regularly because the cliff hangers get me every time. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn - While a woman estranged from her family reconnecting with them to find out magic runs through her bloodline is not anything new, this was an interesting take on the particular power of a line of witches. Feminism, protection of women in community, justice meted out in what could be construed as revenge? No chance I'm going to dislike it. I liked it a lot. The strangler storyline was a good pairing with those themes. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick - I loved the storyline and the characters, but it is down here instead of up there because it felt a little slow at times. I also think we're not too far from where these women were in the 1960s and that pisses me off, but not the fault of the book or author. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/22

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley - This did not blow my socks off and felt overindulgent at points but it also felt super familiar and made me text Amanda, Frank, Mark, and MFD immediately - the backbone of the book is people and their relationship to music and with each other through the lens of music and man if it didn't feel like revisiting hundreds of conversations and debates we've had over the years at bars and backyard parties and the like. Sometimes a book strikes a chord even when it's not a perfect book. OCNJ library hardcover 

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey - It's weird to read something that feels like a budding romance against the backdrop of serial killing, is it not? It propelled me to finish despite spending a good portion of the first half wondering what type of book this was. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

A Killing Cold by Kate Marshall - Whew, what a family of nutters. That kept me going through this even when there were holes or the urge to consistently shout THEO YOU IN DANGER GIRL throughout. OCNJ library hardcover

Eat, Slay, Love by Julie Mae Cohen - This was a fun little darkly humorous revenge on a conman scenario that read quickly and don't require overthinking. We love these types of books for being a smooth ride not requiring a literary dissertation. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Not For Me

The Sirens by Emilia Hart - Sad to categorize Hart's sophomore effort as "not for me" since I was so looking forward to it after reading and enjoying Weyward, her first. Loved the ties to the past and memory and water, but this did not do it for me otherwise. Lucy was an impossible character to like, and that didn't help. I'll definitely give the next Hart a go though. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/1

Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang - Likely a good for you, not for me scenario here. I've had it up to my chin with hearing about wellness influencers and their toxic bullshit so that really hampered my enjoyment here. The story tends young, and 25 year old me surely would have liked this if social media was a thing when I was 25. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

Did Not Finish

 n/a

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What have you been reading?

February 2025 Reads

TL, DR above

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. 

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

Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben - The second Sami Kierce novel. I love the Sami Kierce universe, and this book did not disappoint. I think I love the cast of supporting characters more than Sami himself. Can't wait for the next. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford - A recommendation from Shelby - thank you, my friend (follow her on IG to get links to Shelby's own writing) - I loved Genevieve and her whole story. Women of strength and magic vs. cruel men hits right now. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley - I loved The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by this author, and this next did not disappoint. I like how Oakley tells a story, and I loved the quirks of the characters in this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 11.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo - Obsessed with this book, I couldn't put it down. Loved the way it was told, through alternating accounts and interviews, and the characters and wild actions. All the good figure skating drama stories rolled into one. OCNJ library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead - I was compelled to finish this, although several things bothered the shit out of me. True crime folks might dig this more. An interesting premise, entirely unrealistic in its unfolding, but that's reading, am I right? Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Antidote by Karen Russell - This one is a little outside of my preferred reading genres, but felt like a timely read right now despite being set in the Dust Bowl era. Well written and I loved the Prairie Witch angle. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 11. I also won this in a giveaway so I read the paperback version instead of the digital then passed it on to a Little Free Library

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey - Loved the writing. Ivey does a fantastic job of incorporating the setting of Alaska almost like it's a character itself, which is what I loved about Kristin Hannah's The Great Alone. A lonely novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the free after publication copy in exchange for an honest review

When You Are Mine by Michael Robotham - I always enjoy a Michael Robotham book, particularly his Evie Cormac books. This is the first in a series I am delving into and I look forward to the others. OCNJ library hardcover

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch - This was a ride - and a well written one with a solid pace that only lagged in a few spots. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley invite for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 18

A Hired Kill (Garrett Mann #2) by Steven Konkoly - I'm pretty sure the first in this series made my top reads of last year. I didn't like the follow up as much, as you can see. I felt like the first one was more focused on the characters and this one...too much government intrigue shit in a time when man I fucking hate hearing about the government and I'm up to my neck in its lying intrigue shit. So this is definitely an it's not you, it's me moment. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 27

Not Another Rockstar by Kate Callaghan - Is this a mystery? A romance? A mymance? Whatever it was, it was a quick read and passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

The Wildelings by Lisa Harding - I am probably an outlier on this one, but it didn't do it for me. The story was not strong enough to overcome my extreme annoyance with Jessica through most of the book - difficult to take a ride alongside a character like that in a character-driven story even when it serves a purpose. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes April 15.

Did Not Finish

 n/a

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What have you been reading?

January 2025 Reads

TL, DR above

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. 

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

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson - I got approved for this title quite a while ago but saved it to read in January to kick the year off right. I believe I did the same with Wilkerson's first novel, Black Cake, which I also loved. This story and this family will stick with me. The kind of book where the story is so vast and good you don’t want to finish it, and the writing is so good you want to write something yourself. I loved this, which seems inadequate in summation. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and to Barnes & Noble Philly for bringing Charmaine Wilkerson in for a book talk at the end of January - thrilled to be there for that and to own a signed copy of this one

The Note by Alafair Burke - I typically tear through Alafair Burke books, and this one was no exception. They're not deep and they're not perfect, but books don't need to be for entertainment. OCNJ library hardcover

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen - I always think of myself as a reader not that interested in historical fiction until I read books that remind me that I *do* like historical fiction. Partially set in a time in history I haven't read many perspectives of is always a bonus, and that was the case here - the impact of country, politics, and position on the lives of these people through many decades and changes, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, California. This was engaging, heartbreaking, hopeful. OCNJ library hardcover

The Fourth Monkey (4MK Thriller #1) by J.D. Barker - I'm late to this series. I believe we arrive at books when we are supposed to, most of the time, and my only regret about being late to this is that I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the rest. OCNJ library paperback

The Cove (Detective Erica Sands 1) and The Trap (2) by Gregg Dunnett - Read in preparation for an advanced copy of the third in the series because I'm not starting a series on the third book. I enjoyed these two, the first more than the second - at first I was confused as to what was happening with the shifts and absence of the main character which are not my favorite parts or arcs of these books - but I did eventually get into the story within the story and see how it pieced things together. Digital copies, own

Passed the Time Just Fine

Saltwater by Katy Hays - Entirely unbelievable but that was part of what spurred the story forward. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Hunt (Detective Erica Sands #3) by Gregg Dunnett - This book passed the time just fine, but was my least favorite of the three so far. Still invested and looking forward to the next one! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 21.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff - Reads like Fitzgerald fan fiction, which I didn’t mind. Feels a little overwritten in spots but passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Brothers by Alex Van Halen - Did I immediately both a) listen to Van Halen the rest of the day and b) spend time googling various things mentioned in the book as well as things studiously avoided (Sammy) after finishing this? Yes. This was not a tell all in any sense, more of Alex claiming his role in the thing which is Van Halen and telling a lot about his family and how they grew up with music and nothing, where that music took them, and as is typical in these books - how the record industry wants to suck the blood of artists and pay them in sand. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler - I loved that the main characters were older in age and youthful in  heart, and I do love a second chance redemption arc and gentle storytelling. I think if I didn't compare all of his novels to Shotgun Lovesongs, one of my favorite books of all time, that I would have liked this one more, and the fault in that is mine. I know better than to think the feeling evoked by one reading experience can translate to every other one by that author.  It's earnest, but not in a way that felt authentic to me. It also contains everything plus the kitchen sink, which is I think one of the ways it went off the rails. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Bookseller by Valerie Keough - Love a story set in a bookstore, love a main character who loves books as much as I do. That's about the end of my love for this one - I think I'm an outlier but this was not for me. I could not deal with Helen. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 3

Nowhere by Allison Gunn - This was a little out of my preferred zone - I thought it was more mystery/thriller but maybe a little more horrorish than I bargained for. Likely a good for you, not for me read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz - I don't think this is a thriller, or anything remotely related to Gone Girl so if that is an expectation, you should adjust. I was not thrilled with the consistent "her looks are just okay what is he doing with her" themes. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia - Advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

December 2024 Reads

TL, DR above

Engrossing Reads

The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey - Just under a five. I loved George and Richie and thought this was interesting as hell. I couldn’t put it down.Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 2/11/25

The Moonlight Healers by Elizabeth Becker - A little magic never hurt anyone - loved this story of a line of women and their strengths through the years. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 2/11/25

The Big Fix by Holly James - This was cute. I liked all of the characters and the storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 3/25/25

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall - The blurb says for fans of Paper Palace, and I found that to be true. I was sucked into this from start to finish. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 3/4/25

Everybody Says It's Everything by Xhenet Aliu - Interesting and surprising in places, with all characters. Jackie’s backstory was simultaneously matter of fact and compellingThanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 3/18/25

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Silver Squad by Marty Essen - A bit of unexpected, easy fun with the antics of the Silver Squad. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 1/17/25

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey - A quick read that passed the time just fine - it read a bit like a Nickolodeon documentary and I didn't mind that at all. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29/25

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha - I enjoyed the premise and the family dynamics. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/21/25

Name Not Taken by Madeleine Henry - This was a little bit bananas, I could not believe the main character put up with some of this. Red flags are flying. Passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest reviewThanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/1/25

Not For Me

I'll Tell You Everything by Rebecca Kelley - Good for you, not for me. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/14/25

Did Not Finish

The Obsessive by Nykkie Baldwin - Publishes 1/1/25

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What have you been reading?