I am super excited to report that I loved the second installment in the Derrick Chan series, where the most wholesome, sweet, middle grade book intersects with the LGBTQ community. If you haven’t read the first, I highly recommend Queen Bees of Tybee County which is absolutely wonderful. Read this before Juana Fanta.
In this book, the author allows Derrick and JJ to get to the next level. Personally, I thought the first book was perfect. But according to the authors note, some people really wanted to see JJ and Derrick get a happy ending. Well, I really loved the first book, they are 13 after all, and young kids are not all going to understand and be ready for falling in “like” at the same rate. So this was written to take things further than they did in book 1.

However, this is NOT a romance, this is a coming of age with a bit of mystery thrown in. Derrick loves a Drag Influencer named Juana Fanta (a teen) who is at Comicon, there happens to be a comicon at the same hotel they are staying at to play the state basketball championship. Juana doesn’t show up for her performance and Derrick finds her poetry notebook, so he tries to find her, stay closeted, get into comicon but ALSO win state. Derrick is pretty busy this weekend!

This is very wholesome and heartwarming. Exactly what I want in a middle grade novel.

“…most people who do drag have been through some hard times. Times when they felt alone and powerless….Drag is about owning those things. It’s like finding all of those parts of you were made to feel ashamed of and turning it into power. Blowing it up, throwing sequins on it. Learning to love it and laugh about it.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree/Harper Collins for the ARC. Book to be published October 20, 2026

Anna Johnston’s debut, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, is one of my favorite books of the last few years—honestly, one of my all-time favorites. I try not to compare an author’s new work to their previous books because styles, tones, and genres can shift. But in this case, I couldn’t help it… and I walked away a little disappointed.

This novel is set in an assisted living facility in Australia—one that isn’t particularly well run—and follows a woman in her late 40s navigating a difficult medical diagnosis. Alongside her is her brother, a retired Michelin-star chef, with whom she shares a fractured relationship. As they spend time together, both are forced to confront the past, reconcile, and face a major secret he’s been keeping from those around him.

There’s a lot to appreciate here. The story is heartfelt, emotional, and ultimately inspiring. The sibling dynamic—especially Griff and Lisa—was a highlight for me, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve. It’s also a strong example of second-chance family fiction, with meaningful themes around forgiveness and connection.

That said, I found myself wishing for the same simplicity and emotional clarity that made Johnston’s first novel so special. This book leans into heavier, more complex themes, and while that adds depth, it also made the story feel less “pure” and a bit harder to fully connect with.

A quick note: there is a trigger warning for medical diagnosis.

Overall, I liked this one, but didn’t quite love it. Still, it’s a solid contemporary read—and one of my favorite covers of 2026!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. This title is set to be published in the U.S. on August 4, 2026

✨ What if the love of your life was never really yours… until suddenly he was? ✨

If you’re a total Francophile, Don’t Fall In Love With Me will absolutely sweep you away—the dreamy French setting is easily one of the strongest parts of this story. 🇫🇷

“In France, we don’t just throw things away.”

This book leans heavily into two big tropes: childhood friends-to-lovers and a central love triangle. While those aren’t usually my favorites, I can see how readers who love those dynamics will be completely hooked.

The story follows Grace, who has been in love with Jackson for as long as she can remember… even as we meet him marrying someone else. When he re-enters her life newly single, the tension and longing between them really start to build. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the yearning throughout the book is strong.

Then there’s Etienne, an old friend who gets pulled into the mix—sparking jealousy and adding another layer to the story. At times, this dynamic felt a bit manipulative, and it gave me major early-2000s YA love triangle vibes.

“He likes you. He respects you. He’s fond of you. But he’s not hungry for you. And he’s nowhere close to being curious enough.” “Curious about what?” “About what you taste like.”

Because so much time is spent developing each side of the triangle, I found myself wishing for more depth when it came to Grace as a character. I didn’t feel like I got to know her as well as I wanted to.

“Trust me, if you loved me—by now, after all these years—you’d know it for sure.”

Overall, this was a solid romance with some beautiful moments and standout quotes. If you love love triangles, emotional longing, and a stunning French backdrop, this one could be a hit for you!

“I’ve always loved you too,” I say with regret and his eyes cloud at my tone. “But that’s not the same as being in love.”

Thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam for the ARC. Book to be published April 14, 2026

What if a dying serial killer’s final confession blows up everything a small town thought it knew? 👀

Jennifer Hillier’s Heart of Glass is a fast-paced, addictive mystery-thriller that completely pulled me in and refused to let go. Set in the coastal town of Seaside in the Pacific Northwest (think moody vibes not far from Seattle), the story blends small-town secrets with the glossy chaos of reality TV culture—and somehow makes it feel seamless.

Seaside itself is such a fun backdrop, complete with a quirky theme park called Wonderland (yes, you ride a “Wonder Bus” to get there). But beneath the charm is a web of buried secrets, old crimes, and simmering tensions.

The story kicks off with a chilling twist: a convicted serial killer Figg —who confessed to five murders 25 years ago—is now dying of lung cancer and suddenly claims he didn’t commit all of them. With only months left to live, he reveals one victim, Lorelei (a Seaside local), wasn’t his doing at all. And just like that, everything cracks open.

From there, we follow multiple perspectives that interweave beautifully without ever getting confusing:
• Barb, Lorelei’s friend, now investigating the disappearance of a reality TV star tied to Seaside
• Nicolette (now going by “Cole”) another friend turned reality show celebrity on Trophy Wives, dealing with addiction and a cheating spouse
• A cast of influencers, locals, and law enforcement all circling the same dark truths

There are missing persons cases, long-buried murders, and enough twists to keep your head spinning—in the best way.

What I loved most (and what really stands out in Hillier’s writing) is her focus on women. Every storyline centers women in complex, compelling ways. They’re strong without being over-the-top, vulnerable without being naive, and intelligent without feeling untouchable. It’s refreshing and incredibly engaging.

The contrast between gritty small-town investigations and the performative, messy world of reality TV is also so well done. It adds a modern edge that makes the story feel both timely and unique.

If I had one small note, I wouldn’t have minded a few more likable male characters—but honestly, that didn’t stop me from flying through this book.

✨ Final thoughts:
Super suspenseful, twisty, and wildly entertaining. I couldn’t put it down.

This was my first book by Jennifer Hillier, and it definitely won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC! Heart of Glass is set to be published August 25, 2026—and it’s absolutely one to watch.

🚆 Five people. One set of tracks. Someone isn’t walking away.

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I went into Five by Ilona Bannister expecting a thriller… but what I got was something much deeper—and honestly more unsettling.

This is a countdown-style story where you know from the start that one of five people will die on the train tracks. The tension? You don’t know who.

As the story unfolds, you’re pulled into each character’s backstory—layer by layer, secret by secret—and suddenly it’s not about what will happen, but why.

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💭 What stood out:
• The format is the real star—interactive, almost like the author is nudging you: “So… who do YOU think it is?”
• Strong themes of mothers and sons hit hard for me personally—especially as a mom to a misunderstood son
• A deeply psychological lens on how people become who they are

⚠️ Heads up: Some of the character backgrounds are disturbing, and one character in particular is extremely unstable—definitely check content warnings if that’s sensitive for you.

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✨ Favorite character:
Mrs. Worth—an older woman with a complicated relationship with her daughter-in-law (who performs autopsies 👀). Her arc was subtle but incredibly satisfying.

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📍 Set in London (though it could honestly be any big city), this reads less like a traditional thriller and more like literary fiction with suspense woven through it.

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📖 Final thoughts:
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, twist-heavy thriller, this might not fully scratch that itch. But if you love character-driven, psychological stories with a unique structure, this is absolutely worth picking up.

I flew through it in one sitting—perfect for when you want a short, immersive read.

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🗓️ Pub date: May 5, 2026
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley & Crown Publishing for the ARC!

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⭐️ Would you rather read a twisty plot… or unravel complex characters?

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Carrie had a whirlwind romance in 2010, a few months of dating then married Johan, who was immediately arrested as a Myanmar drug mule. Then he disappeared forever. The narrative jumps to 2022, she is married to Robin with 6 year old cute twins. She no longer is studying to be a doctor, she has been a SAHM since having premature babies. Then she discovers that Johan is out of prison, partnered and seemingly doing fine. This throws her for a loop. But all is not as
It seems.

I liked this book, but it really started very slow. It is more like women’s fiction than a real thriller. There was a twist that – while I didn’t see coming- I was also not all that impressed or interested in. I think the characters were somewhat flat and the plot a bit imbalanced. I think some will really love this one, although for me it was okay.

I recommend this book for fans of Lisa Jewell or Nicci French.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC. Book to be published May 18, 2026.

A haphazard and silly heist book about a girl gang of septuagenarians who are going to have one last hurrah since their retirement. The blurb gives Golden Girls meets Oceans Eleven. It is vaguely reminiscent of the movie a few years back about 4 old ladies who go to the Super Bowl thinking they can just buy tickets at the box office.

While this was cute, it fell short of its two main objectives- to really develop the characters to the point of being endearing and to sell the whole heist plot. I love this author and her releasing 2025 was one of my very favorite books of the year. This was a fun cozy mystery and I enjoyed the character Frances. She is very spunky and has a great inner dialogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC. Book to be published 6/30/26