thoughts on books

Category: Recommendations

  • the mad wife by meagan church

    Historical fiction with a message. Post-war 50’s suburbia, and Lulu knows her job is to be the perfect wife and mother. Her husband Henry is up for a promotion at the architectural firm. Her son Wesley has just turned 4. And she is pregnant, Henry is thrilled that their family will be complete. When a new family moves in across the street, Lulu takes an instant dislike to Bitsy. She continues to react to the pressures of the life she lives and how she is allowed to express herself. Although she would have preferred to live in the country, although she would have preferred working at a newspaper to staying home, her needs are always dismissed.

    I didn’t read any trigger warnings on this one, and I’m glad, because the plot twists came as pretty surprising and heartbreaking to me. Intensely readable, it is easy to get lost in Lulu’s inner dialogue, even as things are not as they seem. This is a perfect book club book- there is something for everyone. Sure to inspire discussions about how women’s needs were dismissed, and everything became “hysteria” or “housewife’s syndrome.”

    Audiobook review- with a reverential performance, the narrator takes a solemn tone to Lulu’s inner dialogue, which is absolutely pitch perfect for the time period and how we see the world from her point of view. The pacing lends itself well to audio, for me this was a perfect 1.8 speed novel.

    Five stars
    a best historical fiction of 2025

    Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC. Book to be published November 4, 2025.

  • never over by clare gilmore

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    This fall we have a plethora of new releases in the second chance romance genre. Maybe there is just something about the season that asks us to start again. A dual-timeline, music industry romance, Never Over feels small town rather than Los Angeles fame— Paige Lancaster is the youngest of five sisters and lives in Tennessee. Finding an opportunity for songwriting, the record executive wants her to get to the emotional place where she was when writing the songs about her breakup with Liam.

    This is where the plot goes a little rom-com- she finds Liam and although they’ve been in touch, suggests that they date again so that she can find her heartbreak. Paige has always been in the shadow of her sisters and best friend Maysie, While the situation may seem far-fetched to some; there isn’t a lot that is dependent on the set up. Clare Gilmore takes the time to allow the reader to understand Paige and Liam’s connection. Liam is independent and sex-positive, but Paige feels different to him, he really wants to spend time with her.

    Audiobook review; this is a great book to listen to. The pacing lends itself well to listening and I was able to follow the story and the romantic connection. I appreciated the way all of Paige’s sisters had individual personalities and things going on in their lives. There is one narrator – Carly Robins- and she did a great Southern accent. Her performance had heart and depth.

    Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC. book to be published October 27, 2025.

  • like in love with you by emma alban

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    A steamy historical sapphic romance – in Jane Austen’s Northern England, Bridgerton, except gay. Rosalie and Catherine meet, knowing this season they are both prospects for the same eligible bachelor, Mr Dean. Their mothers used to be best friends before a falling out in their own season. Early on in the narrative the girls find attraction for each other, and set up events that ruin the prospective courtships.

    This is my third Emma Alban novel and I have really enjoyed them all. It is romance and a creative “what if” scenario so that we can thoroughly enjoy the nostalgia and romance of this time period in a way that allows for inclusion of everyone. This is an idealized 19th century England. So instead of queer people being closeted and mentally depressed their entire lives, there are pockets of people that do understand their queerness.

    Although it is lighthearted and very romantic, I think this theme is also a patient warning for us as to how easy it is to build cultural values. Both Rosalie and Catherine are great characters in their own right, the minor characters are nuanced and their parents in strong relationships.

    It’s a lovely universe to escape into!

    Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC. Book to be published 1/14/26

  • dig by jh markert

    This is probably the scariest book ever written- nay, the scariest book that will ever BE written… about honey.

    The sudden death of the Reverend Dodd, finding him with a stump hand covered in honey, and ultimately finding his diary will uncover the secrets about the massacre 8 years ago on the island. His 10 year old son killed a dozen people with an ax, ending with his suicide. Ten years old, yes, but also 6 feet tall. There was always something not right about that kid. The Sheriff, the reverend, his older brother Nate (now a teacher) and Nate’s girlfriend at the time, Amy, who is also the twin sister of one of the victims.

    As they put together what happened in the past with the sudden death of the reverend now, there is more and more about monsters, about the island itself, and red crows.

    This has heavy Stephen King and Jurassic Park vibes. I can say that JH Markert’s horror novels have exquisite pacing, and this is certainly no different. They are creepy, with great dialogue and reveals at just the right moment. You won’t want to go to bed until you finish…. and once you finish you won’t want to go to bed!

    Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. Book to be published March 24, 2026.

  • stranger things have happened by kasie west

    Sutton is back in her hometown because her mother was in a car accident and dealing with concussion symptoms. After being there only 2 weeks, her boyfriend is supposed to come to visit. But 5 minutes before he is due to arrive, he calls her to end their 2 year relationship. He says he isn’t a priority for her, but instead work and her apartment. Sutton owns a restaurant at only 28 years old. She reconnects with her childhood best friend, who argues with her fiance about if they should attend therapy before getting married. They make a bet- if Sutton and his brother Elijah can pose as a couple for 4 therapy sessions and the therapist cannot tell they are not actually engaged, then he will go.

    It’s a fake dating/engaged scenario that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but you know what? Fake dating scenarios never do. It is a fun trope that never happens in real life.

    This is a lighthearted and well paced rom com, I particularly enjoyed the romance, but also the side stories. Sutton is struggling with being away from the restaurant and in how to balance management with leadership. It is amazing that she is able to own a restaurant in Los Angeles at only 28, but she is insecure about her reviews. Also, the way she cared for her mother, despite her mother being angry and critical was incredibly touching. Her mom, at times, was a frustrating character but over the course of the book I grew a fondness for her, or at least pity.

    Elijah is a good guy, I can see why Sutton fell for him, although falling so fast after ending a 2 year relationship seemed like a detriment of her own character. I enjoyed Kasie West’s first adult debut and although I was given a free e-ARC from Saturday Books and NetGalley, I have already pre-ordered this as a trophy. I think this is a story I will want to return to.

    Overall, it is a fun romcom, but a little bit deeper and stronger character building. High recommend.

    Book to be published April 14, 2026. This is my 394th review to NetGalley.

    Reviews PublishedCamp NetGalley 202580%200 Book Reviews

  • the haunting of payne’s hollow by kelley armstrong

    A very scary story of a woman who inherits a $10 million dollar lakefront property if she can live there for a month. Her aunt goes along with her. It is pretty terrifying and a real page-turner. Horror fans will really appreciate this one. It is inspired by the Legend of Sleepy Hollow- with Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. It is very fast paced and has supernatural themes. I found this to be extremely creepy~! It is well acted on audiobook, I was fortunate to receive an ALC from NetGalley and MacMillan Audio – this will be published October 14, 2026. If you are on the fence, the audiobook is great because it forces your pace. When I am physically reading a book that is THIS suspenseful sometimes I can read too quickly in order to find out what happens. I loved the performance and this book definitely is great for a Halloween season spooky read.

  • in her defense by philippa malicka

    WHOA. What a book. I just finished and I am totally shook. It is both suspenseful and terribly sad. Mood readers beware- it is hard to find a character to root for but it dives really deep into themes of identity and desire for acceptance. I was absolutely riveted and my mouth dropped open several times. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

    SYNOPSIS
    Gussie is lovesick over Mary, her former friend and sometimes hookup. She is the key witness in a trial. Mary’s mother, Anna, is a beloved TV actor and Mary her estranged only daughter. Anna is suing Mary’s therapist, Jean Guest. Jean says that Mary’s parents are toxic and supports Mary in cutting off all contact. Anna says that Mary has been manipulated for money and Jean has inserted false memories into Mary’s mind. Gus is the one that brings the two together- a former client of Jean, Mary has cut her off too. But Gus is the one that brought Jean and Mary together.

    THEMES- heavy!
    Very bad therapy
    therapist as cult leader
    Art school setting
    The roles we play to each other- how our friends see us
    Unrequited love
    Estrangement of family
    Sexual promiscuity as a search for acceptance
    We are all simultaneously the groomer and the groomed, the villain and the victim, the unreliable and fiercely loyal.

    I have read so many books where I came away saying, “Sheesh, these people all need therapy. This book is practically an advertisement for therapy.” WHOA. NOT SO FAST. Did you know that in the UK anyone can register as a therapist online, like registering as a “life coach” it appears that this doesn’t have the level of regulation that it does in the states. Or at least it doesn’t in this universe.

    the characters are so sad and over time they appear to see themselves in both ways. The characters, particularly Gus and Mary, grow over time and begin to have a maturity to understand their past insecurities. Jean gave them hope, then made them dependent on her for this hope, but at least she gave them hope.

    There is a reason why people join cults- there are wonderful things about it that make one feel finally understood, feel like there is a story to their pain. If it was all isolation and hopelessness then no one would join a cult. But there is a desperation for identity that becomes fulfilled and feels wonderfully validating.

    this book is so suspenseful it practically feels like horror. Unbelievable story.

    Thank you to Netgalley and scribner for the ARC. Book to be published 2/24/26

  • such sheltered lives by alyssa sheinmel

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    Ope, didn’t see that coming.  A fun mystery about rich people behaving…. Like addicts trying to get well.  Multi POV going to a remote extremely high end recovery center for the ultra wealthy.  A member of the royal family, a rock star addict, and the daughter of popular musicians.  Trigger warning for anorexia but in my opinion done very respectfully.  

    I really enjoyed this, I read it in one sitting because I simply had to know what happened next.  Each character has secrets, has their own need for privacy, and has hangups regarding their less than loving upbringing.  Each character has issues that led to their stunted maturity and need for recovery in their lives. 

    Throughout the story there are some twists I don’t see coming and a satisfying conclusion.  

    Thanks to NetGalley and atria for the arc. Book to be published 1/20/26

  • animal farm: the graphic novel

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    A stunningly drawn and contemplative adaptation of a timely and important classic.

    This is a fantastic addition to graphic novels based on source material. The drawings of the animals are intriguing and draw the eye towards what becomes distorted about their message over the cautionary tale. The choice to use black and white with certain things with splashes of red is a good use of symbolism to the dangers of capitalism. The animals, like their historical communist counterparts, inherently understand the evils of capitalism. And also like the communists, they fail at being able to offer a lasting alternative.

    I would recommend this adaptation, particularly to those that are fans of Animal Farm. It should not be used as a substitute but instead as a companion. I would have liked to see Napoleon as looking more different than Snowball- in the novel he is explicitly stated as being a Berkshire boar, with grey skin. I also usually visualized the pigs looking more and more human. It is shocking at the conclusion to seeing how far off the original message the group becomes. The art is simply fascinating.

    This is really well done and a great Christmas gift for the classic literature lover in your life.

    Thanks to NetGalley and Gemini books for the ARC. Book to be published November 5, 2025.

  • in time with you by kristin dwyer

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    For fans of Ashley Poston and Lynn Painter, this is a very classic magical realism YA romance. Short on details of world building, this is best read as you let go of trying to understand the time travel consequences and think of it as a journey towards trying to change the past to the “meant to be.”

    Nieve lost her boyfriend Carter in a drowning accident. They are only sophomores in college and somewhat legacies, kids with money and connections. Nieve blames herself, and Carters best friend Max blamed himself. Very quickly into the narrative, Nieve wakes up a year earlier in her dorm at the start of freshman year before she met Carter and Max. She is determined to not let him get into the water this time, but seems to start to feel differently about Max.

    This book is for everyone who has ever thought, “I couldn’t everything better if only I could go back in time.” This one is lighter on the spice but not entirely what I would consider closed door. Less sci fi and more magical realism, you won’t want to spend time hoping for lengthy explanations and world building, but enjoy the banter and characterization.

    Most time travel stories are either “butterfly effect” or “final destination,” and this story explores them both. The heroines journey is a well paced one, causing Nieve to grow and mature to be able to understand both versions of herself, what she wants, and wherein lies her true north.

    I also appreciated complicated storylines of light academia and deep family estrangement situations. Nieve has a close cousin and grandmother Grandee in both timelines.

    Thank you to NetGalley and st martins press for the arc! Book to be published March 23, 2026