Lisa Lutz is one of my very favorite authors, so I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on an early copy directly from the publisher! Engaging from the start, the key relationship here is between Owen and Luna. Best friends since college, their bond is unshakable- even when those around them turn up dead. Moments of levity breaks up the tangle of murder and secrets. I couldn‘t put it down- and can‘t wait for more from Lutz in the future!

Set in the titular Road of Bones- also known as the Kolyma Highway in Siberia- down-on-his luck producer, Teig along with his debtor best friend, Prentiss and a local guide, are scouting out the location of the coldest settlement on earth for a new show. With natural dangers in every direction from the cold alone, it all becomes even eerier when they reach one town to find it abandoned…covering a short span of time, this makes for a chilling read!

Set primarily against the natural beauty of Alaska, this thriller involves a waitress with a bad habit that lands her- and those around her- in big trouble over a stolen photograph. Entertaining- though not always plausible- this is an entertaining listen that is well-performed. Chiappone‘s male characters are more convincing than his female characters & I really think the story deserved an epilogue to tie up some dangling threads! #AudioColoring

In this follow-up to TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT, older brother Noah is the romantic lead. He‘s moved from NYC to prove that he can finish a project-& even get his hands dirty. But his new neighbor‘s small house stands in the way of his dream pool… Grace is determined to have everything she didn‘t grow up with- but is working with her neighbor too hard? The HGTV vibe adds to the fun (the magazine part is implausible) but not quite as fun as her first!

While I remember vaguely hearing about the disappearance of Tylee Vallow and JJ Ryan, this #TrueCrime book provided much more detail and background. I listened to this #audiobook in practically one sitting- as it proves the adage of truth being stranger than fiction… From end-of-days fringe groups, multiple marriages and manipulations from all angles, this is a twisting tale that turns tragic. I do hope a follow-up is planned for post-trial!

Well this is my #WickedWords pick to get this one off my TBR! I picked this one up a few years ago in an Audible 2-for-1 credit sale and so it was nice to finally give it a listen! Humboldt is not as much of a household name as he once was- he inspired Darwin, Haeckel and more, has countless species and places named after him & was among the first to record the negative impact humanity has made on the natural wonders of the earth. #New @AsYouWish

DeMeester‘s latest novel focuses on a mother & daughter- set in 2004 & 2019. Mother Caroline is an artist, living a quiet life & avoiding her past. Daughter Lila deals with an infatuation-& the murders of young girls her same age by a killer known as The Cur. With gore and an overlying message encouraging girls to speak up, this makes for a unique and fast-paced read. But as the girls are gobbled up, sometimes the story itself feels garbled here…

I can see why this was a December #BOTM pick! Set in the heat of summer in Baton Rouge, Dr. Chloe Davis has an upcoming wedding to finalize- and an anniversary to dread of the string of disappearances that led to her father being put in prison for life. Chloe may not always make good choices but she is sympathetic in this strong debut novel. I am looking forward to seeing what Willingham will write next!

Romance isn‘t really my go-to genre-& this one is definitely steamier than the ones I tend to pick up. But I ended up overall liking it - though there were some moments when I admit to being tempted to not finish it all! I am glad that I stuck with it though- I didn‘t always like the titular Bad Luck Bridesmaid, Zoey, but she grew on me in the end (though her aversions didn‘t always make sense to me). There are funny parts here-& emotional ones!

Wow! It may be early in 2022, but this is definitely a #Top2022Read for me! Smita returns to India to help a fellow reporter after an injury. When her friend asks her to leave Mumbai to cover the story of an interfaith marriage that ended in tragedy, Smita wishes she could refuse. Both her story and Meena‘s unfolds in an absolutely heart-wrenching manner. Exquisitely written, in depth characters- it‘s all amazing here! Thanks to @AlgonquinBooks !

Though I didn‘t knock out all my 2021 reading challenges, @Charityann posted the #FairyTaleReading challenge and I couldn‘t resist! This first book in the #DisneyVillainsSeries tells #SnowWhite from the Wicked Queen‘s perspective. She gets some background- as does the Magic Mirror- but not a name! I enjoyed the audio performance & it‘s a quick listen but not as meaty of a retelling as I prefer! Still it‘s fun & I‘ll check out more! #AudioColoring

Thanks to much deserved Litsy-love (thanks for the rave reviews, @AnneCecilie & @Cinfhen ), I decided to dive into this #audiobook for #TrinidadAndTobago- the first country to kick off the #ReadAroundTheWorld challenge! Performed by the author (with no wonder she included a section of an American complimenting the beauty of the Trini accent!), this is a story of the family we make, the love we take (& give) & the secrets we keep. #AudioColoring

Happy Publication Day! Whew- this is not a light-hearted read- but it‘s certainly darkly captivating. In the same vein as THE HANDMAID‘S TALE, this is set in an alternate reality. Frida, a single mother, struggles when her toddler is ill and leaves her sleep-deprived. After a very bad day, her maternal rights are called into question. The only chance she has is a year long school to help her learn to be a better mother. The year is heartbreaking…

After starting this series with the 7th book (DARK HORSE-available 1/4!), I was delighted to discover that the first two books in the #OrphanXSeries were available via #KindleUnlimited! This is a strong series opener with more of Evan‘s backstory & childhood included. His first interactions with his neighbors also broke up the excitement nicely- the rescue missions & overall plot work well here and that ending has me thankful I don‘t have to wait!

Set mainly on a deserted island a few days sail away from Hawaii, Lux & her boyfriend have been hired by 2 college friends to take them there. The island isn‘t as empty as they expected & soon it seems like everyone‘s past holds secrets. It‘s a book with a luscious setting, drinks you can almost taste and characters that come to life. Fast-paced and with some surprises (and other twists a reader might guess), it‘s a great first read of 2022! #BOTM

Oh, I loved this debut YA fantasy novel! Set on a distant & icy planet, Sena longs to escape to a different planet after her mothers‘ deaths in the annual race. She vows to have nothing to do with it but can only get money by stealing…when she crosses a powerful mob boss, she‘s forced to start making connections once more. Her relationship with the wolf shines- Sena may make poor choices, but this adventure shows her grow! I hope there‘s a sequel!

Well I truly loved this #audiobook! I hardly ever start a series from anywhere but the beginning, but I was invited to listen this 7th book in the #OrphanXSeries so I dove in! And I can‘t believe how much I enjoyed this- full of action, but also characters and dialogue that made me laugh and moments of more depth than I expected- not to mention cool gadgets and technology! I never felt lost starting here but now I‘m so excited to read the first 6!

This is just the light-hearted holiday read that I needed! Identical twins Charlie and Cass both are accomplished bakers- Charlie now as a host in the glamorous setting of an L.A. holiday cooking show competition and Cass running the family bakery a few hours north in Starlight Peak (surely a town that must be just a bit north of Sweet Valley!🤣). An accident leads to them swapping lives in the 12 days before Christmas and fun along the way!

A rather horrific holiday read- this is a fast-paced and gory read bringing together DC Jerry Pardoe and DS Jamila Patel for the third time. When squatters camps turn deadly, it soon becomes clear that there may be something more supernatural behind the sudden violence. With ties to an ancient god, cannibals and diabolical WWII plans, this makes for a surprising & exciting read! I‘m looking forward to catching up on this duo‘s earlier adventures!

I love Chamberlain! Her latest is impossible to stop listening to! Told in dual timelines, with 2 narrators, the bulk of the book is set in Round Hill, NC. In 2010, Kayla & her daughter move to their new home after a tragedy- only to be inundated with warnings & creepy happenings stem from the past. Ellie narrates the 1965 portion as a Civil Rights volunteer where she loses her innocence to see the truth of her community. Riveting! #AudioColoring

Out now, this makes for an interesting look at friendship, the Paris Opera Ballet and relationships- those that bring you up and those that are more toxic. Narrator Delphine isn‘t always likable, but she always feels authentic. With brushes into #MeToo as well as murder, the past & present (well 2018) narratives work well together to make this hard to put down! I wish the epilogue had been set a but farther in the future though! Paris shines here!

Oh I enjoyed this quick listen comprised of essays of more than 20 years in this Winnipeg veterinarian‘s career. There are sections with the expected dogs, cats & other small animals- but also some more exotic encounters, as the title suggests. There‘s also practical advice (wash your hands, always be kind to the front desk at your vet‘s office) & throughout the love of animals is quite clear! It made my eyes fill, but also giggle! #AudioColoring

A birdwatching group of seven gathers on Boxing Day with special permission to use the closed nature reserve to see the starling murmuration. But not everyone makes it alive… with secrets and suspicions floating around everyone, this makes for an exciting wintry read! There‘s some Agatha Christie And Then There None vibes and plenty of surprises thrown in to keep you guessing. Emily‘s deafness adds to the story-and the stress! Hard to put it down!

I‘ve been a fan of Rollins‘ writing for a long time and this action-packed re-entry to epic fantasy makes for a truly wonderful #audiobook experience! The characters all come to life and the magical creatures and twisting plot is breathlessly exciting! I loved Nyx - and all of her adopted brothers! I cried- there are some brutal surprises- but I also can‘t wait for the next installment! A great start to a new series! #AudioColoring

Written in the style of a true crime book that unfolds before the reader‘s eyes, this is an addictive & compelling read! The author inserts himself, alongside emails, photographs & transcripts that give this an authentic feel from start to finish! There are moments, like in many real documentaries, where things seem to firmly point in one direction, only to have even more surprising events take place! I couldn‘t put it down! It‘s quite thrilling!

I can see why this is a December #BOTM pick! I enjoyed Ernshaw‘s debut adult novel. It opens with a missing author, and a man with a special knack for tracking down the missing. But soon after Travis sets off on Maggie‘s trail, he too goes missing. The book picks up in Pastoral- a cultish community tucked away in the wild woods of California. Soon there are clues uncovered involving both Maggie and Travis. A page turner with beautiful writing!

Rather than #AudioColoring, I did #AudioDecorating while listening to this Rumpelstiltskin re-telling! While I have many titles by Meyer in my TBR, this is my actual first experience with her writing-& I absolutely loved it!! Serilda‘s storytelling combined with her golden flecked eyes have always made trouble for her- but her life spins in an entirely new direction when on the Winter Solstice she encounters the Erlking & dares to lie! Loved it!!

This police procedural set in 2002 Paris features a bear of a detective, Paul Mazarelle. When a string of unconnected murders takes place, only Mazarelle‘s tenacity brings resolution against a backdrop of political turmoil and plots. It‘s an interesting read and the second in the series. The storyline twists and the charms of French food and drink will encourage you to enjoy something decadent as the pages fly by! Available now!

While Winston Churchill‘s life and impact on the world is familiar to most, this book focuses on his daughters. I knew more about his youngest daughter, Mary, from other WWII books, but here I learned about Diana and Sarah- and Marigold. It‘s a wonderful read- well-researched and engaging throughout! I enjoyed it immensely!

As the font suggests, this mafia story reminded me a bit of The Godfather- but with a more female-centric focus. The friendship between Sofia and Antonia ebbs and flows as they age from childhood to adulthood. The omniscient, present-tense style takes a little getting used to, but all in all, this is an impressive debut that will make you hum “Dominick, The Italian Christmas Donkey” this holiday season! A good #BOTM pick for sure!

I can see why this was a #BOTM pick! I literally couldn‘t put it down and stayed up WAY too late to finish it in just about one sitting! Juniper returns to her small Iowa hometown, ostensibly to help her friend & librarian but also to put a stop to a podcast looking to highlight the brutal murder of her neighbors 15 years ago- where her brother was the key suspect. Weaving together past and present, this one moves fast & is impossible to put down!

Wimpenny selects nine of the more familiar Aesop‘s Fables (“The Hare and The Tortoise”, “The Fox and The Crow”, “The Dog and Its Shadow”, to name a few) and breaks them down to see what light today‘s science and studies reveal about facts within the tales. While some of the research referenced is more familiar than other sections, this provided an interesting overview into animal cognition, behavior and provides interesting anecdotes as well!

Thanks to growing up on Sweet Valley books, I cannot resist a book about twins! Harriet and Josephine are born into a show business family- their father fell into the theater at a young age and their mother left Ohio and winds up on stage as well. Their daughters original vaudeville act doesn‘t garner much attention- but when the girls are rigged together to appear conjoined, the act takes off! Covers history and relationships in a compelling way!

Set in Black Harbor, WI- a small city with big city crime rates, narrator Hazel starts a new job with the police department as a transcriber. Though she plans on a writing career, she finds inspiration in her new experiences-& a magnetic detective & a new case involving her neighbor, draws her into investigating as well. Mostly fast-paced, this might be more fun on audio to better appreciate the transcription sections! I wish I liked Hazel more…

Since my 2004 discovery of Picoult‘s books, I‘m always looking forward to reading something new from her! I didn‘t realize going in that this would be a COVID-centric book, but I really had a hard time putting it down. Main character, Diana, has a life smoothly on track with her plans- a promotion at Sotheby‘s is on the horizon and her surgical residency boyfriend seems certain to propose on their trip to the Galapagos- but the book opens 3/13/20…

This memoir focuses on the author‘s complicated & heartbreaking relationship with her mother- a woman who though was never diagnosed with Munchausen‘s but clearly seems like a textbook example of it. Helen‘s narcissistically hypochondriac mother may not be as classically abusive as other mothers, but the wounds she creates in her daughter are quite real. Written with emotion & using her mother‘s journals as well, this makes for a compelling read!

When I first read the description of this Hunger Games-esque YA fantasy, I couldn‘t wait to read it! Set in a cursed town, four of the seven great families provide the perspectives for the latest cycle of the curse that forces these seven to fight to the death! I loved the world-building and the characters all grew on me! Though I had an early audio copy, I much preferred reading this physically- the male reader was just too melodramatic for me!

I enjoyed this debut novel quite a bit- it‘s an introspective but intriguing read told from Sibel‘s perspective. Just about to start her last year of college, she & her boyfriend go to #Turkey where Sibel cares for her ailing grandmother & Cooper works in a hospital. Sibel recently lost her father & as she works through her grief, studies ancient medical history & also uncovers family secrets. Well-written, it offers a lot about the country too.

This piece of literary fiction moves quickly- on the surface, it‘s the story of one mother, Tiny, and the owl-baby she gives birth to. But it is also a story of a marriage that doesn‘t work, of in-laws who treat her as a total outsider and what it‘s like to have a child who doesn‘t develop like all the rest. In some ways, this reminded me of NIGHTBITCH- and I think this is sure to spark plenty of conversations amongst its readers! Available 11/16!

This #RegencyRomance is just a romping fun read! When Hugh invents a fiancée to stave off his mother‘s machinations to marry him off, this earl pushes the envelope to keep her away. But when she suddenly turns up, he is forced to make the fictional Minerva real- and luck is upon him when he crosses paths with an actual Minerva who needs the money to support herself and her two sisters. But soon it seems there is more to the fictional relationship…

This #audiobook, set in the 16th century revolves around the friendship of Anne Turner & Lady Frances Howard - a friendship across stations that results in more Court intrigue & drama than you would expect if unfamiliar with the historical facts. I really appreciated the performance and the quotidian details of the era here- particularly the fashion! And while I think Jago tries to make her characters sympathetic, I struggled to connect with them!

Happy Publication Day! This YA novel opens after Julie‘s boyfriend, Sam, dies. Seniors in high school, Julie feels lost & that her dreams for the future are as dead as Sam… In a desperate moment, she calls his phone… and he picks up! It reminded me a bit of Rainbow Rowell‘s LANDLINE, but this is much more focused on grieving and all who are impacted when a relationship ends. It‘s a sad read, but I wish that I felt a stronger connection to Julie.

This is my book club‘s current pick- and I absolutely loved this debut novel! It depicts a human side of the meticulous process involved in the publication of the Oxford English Dictionary. Esme is a charming character from childhood through adulthood and the supporting characters- those based in fact and fiction equally come to life! I really enjoyed this and can‘t wait to hear what the rest of the group thought of it!!

Two years ago, I read and enjoyed Golding‘s debut novel that blended some horror with mystery. I was pleasantly surprised that this one also featured the detective Joanna Harper- but I am not sure I would qualify this as a sequel though Joanna does narrate part of this - along with Ruby, a young woman estranged from family and who becomes involved in her neighbor‘s family drama- one that blends crime & a dash of fantasy. Selkie lovers will enjoy!

Happy Publication Day! This thriller makes for a fast-paced and solidly entertaining read! Lily first meets the older and charming Edward as a private teacher for his young son, but it‘s not long before Lily becomes Noah‘s stepmother. But soon it becomes obvious that Edward‘s past is more complicated and secretive than Lily knew and she must investigate on her own to uncover the truth. This makes for a quick read and one I couldn‘t put down!

Since finishing THE UMBRELLA LADY, I‘ve looked forward to Saffron‘s story continuing. Picking up where the first book ended, this sequel starts with Saffron showing up on her father‘s doorstep. She learns that he has a whole other family- even a 2nd daughter close to her own age! In order to start a new life with him, Saffron poses as his niece. Living a lie is tough but the anachronistic details are comical in the lives of these young teens!

Last year, I first discovered Richards‘ writing and her latest is a YA thriller that I couldn‘t put down! It opens with Cleo receiving an unexpected birthday gift inviting her on a scavenger hunt- but it‘s soon clear that this isn‘t a friendly game. It revolves around the events leading up to a year prior- when seven friends left OH for a WV trip- and only six came home. Fast-paced and with some genuine surprises, this is a fun and exciting read!

Happy Halloween!! This Jennifer McMahon short story is exactly the super spooky and haunting read I was looking for while waiting for the trick-or-treaters to descend! Genuinely chilling and set on Halloween, it‘s perfectly satisfying! #KindleUnlimited

Happy Halloween! I loved Tremblay‘s novels and was hoping for a good scare with this #KindleUnlimited short- the premise of a man waking up without knowing anything was creepy but not exactly the Halloween scare I expected- still a quick and entertaining read!

This fun, seasonal romance is a genuine joy to read! I loved than banter between the characters- it made me laugh in many places! The plot- to save the whole town of Graves Glen, GA from an accidental curse is exciting- it‘s the perfect light and fun Halloween read! I couldn‘t put it down and am excited to learn that a sequel is planned! Such fun!! #BOTM

P.S. Two of these “pumpkins” are actually puffball mushrooms from our yard!