The third novella in the #SwornSoldierSeries shifts locations in a big way with Alex & Angus joining Dr. Denton in America— specifically a West Virginia failed mine to find his missing cousin. With some creepy moments & some claustrophobia, this #novella certainly adds to the series, but the scary red lights & body count are less terrifying than the horrors of the second book. I really don‘t enjoy the weird cadence of the audio performer‘s voice!

This 2nd book in the #SwornSoldierSeries is my favorite! Alex & Angus are headed back to their home country & to the hunting lodge Alex inherited long ago. When they arrive, they quickly learn they need a new caretaker (& someone to act as a chaperone for our favorite mycologist‘s upcoming visit!). The locals are nervous about a moth/spirit sucking hag, though the grandmother & grandson they find are both scene stealers! Alex‘s PTSD features here.

I love Kingfisher‘s writing & decided to #SeriesBinge her #SwornSoldierSeries—novellas featuring Alex Easton, a late 19th century soldier who travels to visit old friends in this reimagining of Poe‘s #TheFallOfTheHouseOfUsher. Drawing you right in with the desolate landscape & a fun cameo from Beatrix Potter‘s mycologist aunt, this strange tale keeps getting stranger as Alex investigates the cause of the strange illness plaguing the siblings.

It‘s the 1st #SweetValleyHighChristmas! But this is probably one of my least favorites—it opens at the start of winter break with Liz helping with the Secret Santa assignments while looking forward to Todd‘s visit from VT. But they get the news that Suzanne Devlin begged to come back, supposedly to make amends. Jessica dives in with some help to make Suzy‘s stay miserable. She‘s miserable enough about her health—though Todd makes her feel better!

Well, this is my first #DNF of 2025! Pretty far into the year—& rarer still for me to set aside an #audiobook! But this memoir, though it started out with a great hook—the author disappeared from his MI college town, leaving behind his bag & last seen on the iced over lake soon turns into something less expected. I didn‘t want to continue on once I learned the selfish nature of his disappearance & the apparent undiagnosed mental health struggles.

I love #FairyTaleRetelllings & I love Kingfisher‘s writing, so I was thrilled to dive into her reimagining of #SnowWhite. Anja is a healer specializing in poisons & antidotes— a passion started in childhood. Now 35, her king calls on her to cure Snow, his daughter. With its unique desert setting & more of a magical mystery, Grayling steals every scene in this tale with humor, adventure & even a dash of romance! I couldn‘t put it down! Fantastic!

It‘s the first time Ned‘s parents come for a visit in the #SVH series! They‘re here for 3 weeks from their small MI town & the twins are delighted—though Alice feels left out & unneeded. But the real focus is Droids drummer Emily Mayer & her stepmonster, Karen (the origin of today‘s Karens?). Karen‘s making Emily‘s life hell & her father is too blinded by new love to see how miserable his daughter is. Liz intervenes but Grandma W is the real hero!

With multiple perspectives & plenty of violence, this certainly makes for a unique #SpookySeasonRead. In a West Texas motel, a group of travelers all find their own way to be stranded there, seemingly by chance. The hotel, run by fraternal twins, is more than just a time capsule of another era with a looming desert mountain over it… Blending mystery, horror & fantasy, this is slow to start, but once it gets going is more fun though not satisfying.

12 years ago, I read one of Klavan‘s books (A KILLER IN THE WIND) & loved it, shortly after, I read another (THE UNCANNY) & hated it, so I‘ve avoided him ever since. I probably didn‘t do him (or myself) any favors by trying him again with this 5th book in the #CameronWinterMysteriesSeries. I hate diving in midstream & while I did finish (the audio performer sounded like Paul Giamatti for dialogue), after the initial plot set up, I lost interest…

Steven‘s actually been having fun with Cara Walker, who since her parents‘ divorce & her father & brother leaving for Chicago, has become more serious & sensitive. Betsy Martin, though, can‘t bear for Steven to be dating & starts drawing him back into memories of Tricia & his grieving depression. Liz, too, feels the burden of memories of Todd (she even thinks she‘s seeing him around!). She fixes things with Betsy & learns not to date a lookalike!

I really loved the first installment in this #RubyAndCordeliaMysteriesSeries that brings together 20 year old Ruby with in-her-40s ghost Cordelia. They make for unconventional roommates & even more unusual detectives as they set about this time to solve the murder of the main delivery guy to the tech office where Ruby has taken over Cordelia‘s office manager job. With a bit less generational humor, & unpredictability, this is still a solid sequel!

I‘m down to only a few states before my #ReadTheUSA map is complete— & this #TrueCrime scratched #Delaware off my list! Rule‘s reputation proceeded her in this first experience with her writing. It‘s certainly a detailed exploration of Anne Marie Fahey‘s murder. Giving family background, & a thorough timeline both leading up to the murder & the official investigation that followed, this is a lengthy listen but still manages to unfold quickly.

The Wilkins family‘s moving to Vermont! Liz is heartbroken & everyone advises the pair to breakup with the move, but neither can really let go. Liz falls off her usual activities & holes up writing letters & wanting to be home so she doesn‘t miss a single long distance phone call (remember those?). Jessica, of course, puts her now professional (she has a part time job just for the duration of the book) match-making skills to use on both her sibs!

What a great #bookclub pick! This #SpookySeasonRead isn‘t too scary, but maintains a great, tense atmosphere in homage to the titular detective. And while familiarity with Hitchcock‘s films adds to the reading experience, other than a few spoiled plots, not really necessary. The plot holds surprises— though the cast isn‘t particularly sympathetic. Still, it has a cinematic flair of its own & I couldn‘t put it down! Looking forward to discussing!

Whew… this is an intense read! I finished it in just about one sitting but I‘m not sure I could say that it was exactly fun… And definitely not a read for anyone who is already squeamish or scared of hospitals! Narrator Meg checks herself into the hospital for a prolonged stay to participate in an experimental treatment for her rare autoimmune disorder. Body horror in a hospital setting makes this unsettling & unforgettable— but not for all!

Liz organizes a talent show, but the real focus here is the relationship between artistic DeeDee Gordon & Bill Chase. Liz wants DeeDee to handle set designs, but as usual for the past couple months, she won‘t commit to anything without Bill being involved. Bill‘s chafing at the sudden smothering dependence DeeDee displays. Liz helps DeeDee regain confidence. Ned & Alice head to Mexico & Jessica & Lila throw a party that quickly gets out of hand!

This #DarkAcademia book makes for a solid #SpookySeasonRead! It opens in NYC with Robin, heartbroken after a betrayal & desperate to find a new foundation for her thesis. She spots an online post of a missing professor who found an intriguing statue that may be just the thing. But Hildegard College harbors more secrets than missing women & Robin doesn‘t know who to trust. Beautiful library & manuscript descriptions gripped me more than the plot!

Set in an alternate world where magical alchemy is quite real & largely amplified by Sand, a philosopher‘s stone type magical drug, governed by competing gangs, this start to a new series sucked me in! Sure, the Romeo/Juliet angle is not exactly unexpected, but it still plays out to drive home the tension & suspense. The world-building works & this makes for a satisfying first installment that doesn‘t end on a cliffhanger but hints at a sequel.

The first #SweetValleyHighSuperEdition makes for a fun summer adventure with a group biking the CA coast! Mr. Collins & Ms. Dalton chaperone, but have recently broken up— with, to Lila‘s horror, Nora back with her father. An LA stop adds wannabe delinquent Courtney to the group— a girl with a plan that hinges on breaking up Todd & Liz to get home to her mohawked love. Funny with pranks & plenty of adventure, even the principal‘s nephew is a hero!

I had originally talked myself out of adding this one to my #BOTM box, because I didn‘t love The Hacienda, but I wanted a #SpookySeasonRead. It starts off very slowly & relies quite a bit on coincidence. The exact nature of the possession gets muddled & the romance just felt so implausible to me… I just wanted more depth from the characters though the plot does hold some surprises & some creepy moments. It just wasn‘t quite as scary as I hoped!

I absolutely loved this #BeautyAndTheBeastRetelling! The audio performance is fantastic & I couldn‘t stop listening to this! I loved how this “Belle” named Lyssa, is more warrior than bookish (plus a bit of a Beast herself!), giving this beloved plot line a fresh spin. With great world-building, great characters & a steady flow of action & excitement, this is one of my favorites of the year, for sure! Such a strong debut & I cant wait for more!

In an unexplained week off from school, not only is SVH off, but Steven‘s considering dropping out of college on account of his lingering grief over Tricia. Jessica tries to cheer him up, but he lashes out at her in a way he would never do to Liz. Jess starts flirting with “bad boy” Nicky Shepard & starts to resent her family more & more for so clearly preferring her twin—“the savior of the world, defender of the oppressed…everyone‘s best friend.”

I love Armstrong‘s writing & her latest is great for this #SpookySeason— a reimagining of #TheLegendOfSleepyHollow! Sam‘s not returned to Paynes Hollow since she was a child who witnessed a horrible event that tore her family apart. Now, desperate for the money her inheritance will bring, she is forced to spend a month back in her family cottage. With a twisting plot, higher body count than expected & fast-pace, this one is impossible to put down!

I absolutely love the #AndyCarpenterSeries and this 32nd installment is another holiday one (while Laurie may be already listening to Christmas music, I am not quite there yet!), and Andy takes on a new case with much less reluctance than usual. A man rescued a golden retriever puppy from the building where an explosion claimed the life of his girlfriend & 6 others, but now he‘s wanted for the murder of the building‘s owner! Fast-paced & funny!

On George Warren‘s first official flight with his pilot‘s license, he takes Enid up— planning on breaking up with her afterwards since he fell in love with Robin Wilson during flight school. But the Cessna 150 stalls out & he does a crash landing onto Secca Lake! Enid saves his life but bruises her spine, paralyzing her legs! Enid‘s depression after, knowing George is pulling away comes to an end when Liz tricks her into saving Teddy Collins!

Stevens‘ latest is another riveting read that I couldn‘t tear myself away from! She maintains so much tension throughout that it made me glad to not be a nail-biter, or I‘d surely have no nails left! American couple Alice & Tom are taking a road trip through Canada in their new RV on their way to the summer Olympics in Montreal. But this 1976 summer holds nothing but horror after a young couple they meet along the way change everything! So tense!

As #TheGoldenGirls celebrates its 40th anniversary, I thought this would make for a fun & dishy details from the set. Unfortunately, this isn‘t quite the gossipy fun listen that I expected— it‘s a more serious, media studies case study approach about the shifting popularity as the show has proven successful both in original broadcasting, the rerun market & now on streaming. Exploring its appeal to multiple audiences, this is interesting but dry.

After meeting handsome construction worker, Jack, Lila hosts a lavish party at Fowler Crest to both show off & to show him off. Jessica plans on stealing him before she even lays eyes on him, but his handsome face has her flirting unabashedly in front of Lila! Jack offers a sad past, determined to make his way separate from his wealthy family, while dating Jessica during the week & Lila on weekends. Suspicious Liz learns the truth & saves the day!

I wanted to love this one…It‘s got a strong multimedia feel which I do love, but like the main character, Jorie, I love horror for that frightening, ankle-tingling chill that this failed to deliver. Maybe I‘ve gotten harder to scare, but despite the unsettling imagery, I never had that darkly delicious sensation! The backstory feels contradictory & unnecessary, slowing down the pace of this overlap of urban legend, Internet fervor & scary stories.

Set across a Thanksgiving, the entire Ryan family gathers under one roof for the first time in years. Each of the three sisters have their own troubles & secrets, while the whole family‘s present continues to be haunted by the past— one fatal afternoon that spiraled into further tragedy. Fast paced & well performed, this family drama may not be earth shattering, but it‘s certainly an engrossing listen! Characters come to life, warts and all.

Liz leads a fundraiser for the Fowler Memorial Hospital but still finds time to worry about Regina Morrow dating Bruce Patman. So far in #SVH, Bruce‘s been a braggart & downright creep—plus this is Regina‘s first time at school for hearing students, & her first boyfriend! Jessica meddles by starting a rumor about why Bruce dates Regina, but in the end Bruce puts Regina first so she can go to Switzerland for a year of surgery to repair her hearing!

Certainly unique, this dual timeline tale— split between 2009 and 2019– features two Rachels, the titular Rachel Galloway & Rachel Durwood. It takes a while for the two stories to intertwine, but there‘s plenty of horrific & vivid imagery throughout. As Galloway‘s doodles take on a life of their own both off the page & within her town, I loved the spiraling, pit of control cult building. But I didn‘t love the video game feel of the chaotic ending.

I‘m not sure why I find myself drawn to traveling circus novels, especially since I can‘t think of the last one that I read & really loved! This listen is engaging— though some of the performances are over-the-top even for a story featuring a big top tent! Born in 1901, twins Eleanor & Bolt eventually end up with the Emporium of Wonders, a varied cast & on the run from a truly terrible “uncle”. I wanted more satisfaction from the ending though!

Gossip Caroline Pearce enjoys the attention she‘s received from everyone— including her college going older sister— after she invents Adam, a 6‘2” handsome baseball player from Cold Springs who “writes” her love letters. Really, Caroline copies from a library book of Robert Browning‘s letters— but when Liz writes a one-act about the famed literary couple, the jig is up. Alice receives a San Francisco job offer throwing the family in a spin!

I can‘t resist a fun #werewolf story! This YA thriller has a few unfortunate POV issues (I can‘t stand head-hopping) but is overall a fast & engaging read. Privileged Heidi Mills rarely thinks about the Rabies lupinovirus that broke out five years earlier, a saliva based virus that turns people into werewolves as her family‘s money has largely kept her isolated from it. Heidi‘s worst day turns worse, with humor (& violence), it‘s a fun ride!

Ugh… I was so excited for this to be our #BooksNHoes #bookclub read, and while it certainly led to a lively discussion, it otherwise failed to live up to my expectations. For a “true crime” book, this harbors zero justice, and manages to get overly bogged down by COVID details to kill any kind of pacing. It sounds interesting but fails to deliver on so many levels. I kept feeling like while the women investigated, there was so much condescension!

Roger Barrett went from broke to being Roger Barrett Patman overnight after his mother‘s sudden death. It turns out Paul Patman (who died in a plane crash) was actually Roger‘s dad, so now he‘s moved in with Bruce & his parents. Jessica, now that Roger‘s not a janitor, sets her sights on him & starts artfully “helping” Olivia, but actually just shows how unfit the artistic girl is amongst Roger‘s new wealthy family. Liz helps set things right!

This memoir manages to feel both personal & somehow oddly emotionally detached at the same time, as the author shares her life story, focusing mainly on the relationship with her first husband, Gil. Significantly older, & too young to recognize warning signs, she marries him quite young after meeting him after fresh trauma of her own. Over decades, he only adds to that from a variety of abuses, alcoholism & drug use. Heartbreaking but fast paced.

This slasher story set in the titular retirement home moves quickly with a high body count! Rose is among the first of the residents to be suspicious of the accidents & rising death toll. She & her friends set about their own investigation. With a sizable cast & a great performance, this fast-paced & bloody thriller has a certain cinematic quality to it, that dare I say makes this a fun #SpookySeasonRead! A little predictable but a lot of fun!

It‘s the first #SVHCorpse! Tragic Tricia Martin succumbs to leukemia, surrounded by not her own family, but the Wakefields. Her older sister Betsy arrives to the hospital too late to say goodbye & causes quite a scene. Tricia made Steven promise to look after Betsy & she winds up moving into their den, determined to give up her drinking & drugging (& men). Jessica wants her gone & worries that Betsy is falling for Steven. Her scheme almost works!

6 years earlier, Jen‘s forest ranger father disappeared into the woods. Jen held out hope that he was still alive, somehow, but a call summons her home to her emotionally distant mother & her father‘s remains. Determined to learn the truth, Jen convinces old—& new— friends to follow her father‘s footsteps. Never scary, there is a lot of violence & a predictable plot. The abrupt ending didn‘t feel like a satisfying conclusion. Unlikable characters!

I really enjoyed Gailey‘s JUST LIKE HOME, so I was excited to dive into this one on audio. It‘s a great performance but, unfortunately, this was just too sexually strange for me. Kinsey‘s unnatural fetish overwhelms the plot (which moves along quickly) & while sometimes body horror can be fun, this just isn‘t the fun or chilling listen that I wanted. I was curious to see how it would end, so I finished it but without the narrator, I wouldn‘t have!

At the party to celebrate Liz‘s return from being kidnapped, Nicholas Morrow immediately falls in love with her. Jessica, harboring her own crush on Nicholas, seeks out computer nerd Randy Mason to learn more about computers (the Morrow family business). Liz doesn‘t want to hurt anyone‘s feelings, so she agrees to give Nicholas a chance & go on a date with him while Todd celebrates with his family. She gets caught & Nicholas smooths things over!

I can‘t believe it‘s been 5 years since I read— & loved!— Harrison‘s debut novel! I absolutely couldn‘t put this latest one down! It‘s a story of sisters, family, grief, & a dash of love all around a haunted house & some genuinely spooky parts! Clio, the youngest of 3 sisters, undertakes renovating the house they blame for destroying their family—but with a book within a book, & her own memories, she starts to find the truth. Funny & chilling!

While this certainly captured my attention throughout (and knocked #OK off my #ReadTheUSChallenge), I had a hard time connecting with the main narrator, Steph. She has a hard time reconciling love with her own ambition to become the first Cherokee female astronaut. The book largely revolves around her relationships which ultimately disappointed me. Steph‘s selfish, reckless & careless behavior makes her more frustrating than fun to read about!

This is one of my favorites of the series! 25 year old hospital orderly, Carl, falls desperately in love with Elizabeth while she works as a candy striper because Liz, being her saintly self, smiles & is polite to him. He kidnaps her from the parking lot & takes her to his hovel. Jessica once again can‘t wait for her sister to start partying at the Morrows‘ welcome party. Todd sounds the alarm, Max Dellon‘s arrested & twin magic saves the day!

I can‘t believe how long this one has been sitting in my TBR! This father/son collaboration certainly feels smooth— though, other than the departure from a ME setting (we are in small town Appalachia instead)— I don‘t think this feels out of Stephen King‘s usual books. A sudden “Aurora event” sends women into strange cocoons upon falling asleep, sending the world into chaos. Focusing on a small town & women‘s prison, the battle for survival plays.

I really enjoyed McCoy‘s latest! Full of old Hollywood glamour & nostalgia, with a ‘90s interview frame, the titular Lori Lovely‘s career— her quick rise to stardom & her abrupt departure to join a nunnery— is all recounted here. While some parts may feel familiar & expected, I still couldn‘t tear myself away from this one! The dual perspectives work well, though I wanted Marie‘s POV too. Plus, it‘s nice to share a favorite Aunt Laurie!

Ahh, another of the more memorable installments! Steven‘s girlfriend, Tricia Martin has the same kind of leukemia that killed her mother. To spare Steven pain, she pushes him away & Jessica leaps at the chance to fix Steven up with her bestie, Cara Walker. Jessica learns talk show host Jeremy Frank is in the hospital; she convinces Liz to join her in being candy stripers. Liz learns Tricia‘s secret & after much agonizing, tells Steven the truth.

This snappy debut moves quickly— spanning more years than I expected given its less than 300 page count. Percy meets Joey & Zoe (who like Bowie) in her sophomore year of college & her relationship with the couple—both together & apart forever changes her life. Plenty of will-they/won‘t-they tension, musical banter & strong nostalgia that got songs stuck in my head without more than a track title, this is fun, but a bit too brief! I wanted more!