September 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

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda - I always enjoy a Megan Miranda book, and that was true in this case. They're quick reads and they always pull me in. OCNJ library hardcover

Heart the Lover by Lily King - This book, this book. I sunk into it and loved it. It spoke to the English major in me - heaven for lit nerds. Gorgeous writing. Shattered me in the best way, several passages will live inside of me forever. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Fox by Joyce Carol Oates - I love a boarding school book. She's a master, no notes. Well, maybe one note? The books are long as hell. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Women, Seated by Zhang Yueran - Read almost like a short story or novella. This depressed me to no end but I liked it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Boom Town by Nic Stone - I couldn't put this down. Loved the characters. The psycho character was even well done. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett - Solid quick hitter beach read. It was wild, and unbelievable, but it was engrossing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - I loved these people and the setting, obviously. A quick beach read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham - Elin's book with her daughter, more YA-ish but still identifiable as a Hilderbrand book. This was a quick, engrossing read. OCNJ library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon - Lots going on in here, but a quick mover and read on the beach in a few hours. I knew who it was early on but didn’t know the why or how, and that felt a little thrown together Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

At Last by Marisa Silver - This sounded like the setup for a great story, and I still believe it is. The execution of it fell a little flat though, and the pacing was off.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards - This drug quite a bit in places, and seemed convoluted as well. I still wanted to know what happened so I stuck until the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas  - A little laggy in spots, and lots of suspension of belief, but as an afternoon beach read it passes the time just fine. Also the twist and outcome were wild Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Fulfillment by Lee Cole - This took me quite a while to get into, but I eventually did and saw it through although I considered putting it down a few times. I got a free digital copy from Netgalley but also won a copy in a giveaway and read the paperback

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy - I liked the atypical structure of this, and threading the pieces together through these women and their friendships over the years. I originally thought this was about a sister relationship (Desiree and Danielle, which could have been a separate novel) but really liked how everything was woven in. A quick read, good writing Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

N/A

Did Not Finish

American Werewolves by Emily Jane - copy via Netgalley

The Belles by Lacy Dunham - copy via Netgalley 

*****************

What have you been reading?

August 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

Kiss Her Goodbye (Frankie Elkin #4) by Lisa Gardner - Love this series - this book’s new characters stole my heart. More Frankie Elkin please! Free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham - I tore through this. So good, I was on edge the entire time

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan - Appalachian setting is one of my sweet spots. I couldn't put this down - great pacing. I'd read more from these characters and definitely from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein - Absolutely loved this as a fan of women's sports in general and as a soccer adjacent person most of my life through family. Heartbreaking and amazing throughout - I really loved this. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Couple's Secret (Josie Quinn #23) by Lisa Regan - Not my favorite Josie but still a solid delivery and reading experience. They can't all be favorites, although most of the 23 books have managed to be. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku - Easy and enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O'Neal - Loved the components of this story, but the characters were frustrating and stuck in spots so it took me a while to get through Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell - What actually happened here came a little out of nowhere, but I still couldn't put the book down. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

High Season by Katie Bishop - Just okay - old murder storylines relying on younger adults as witnesses are difficult, and this was no exception. Made more difficult by not liking any of the characters. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje - I liked the writing - you could feel the yearning - and was fascinated by the relationships. Also enjoyed the Croatia factor Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion by Chris DeVille - Loved that the chapters began with a playlist. The book felt overloaded with info to me though, like nonstop, and it wasn't exactly a right fit for me music-wise, so I just skimmed the chapters/albums that were not for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

First Light, Last Light by Glen Sorestad - I really enjoyed this, made my way through slowly. It might have been my first encounter with a volume of Canadian poetry. I preferred the nature poems over the people poems. Mid-Winter is a standout for me! Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Not For Me

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I standardly enjoy books by this author but this one was not for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

Ruins by Amy Taylor - Copy via Netgalley

The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney - Copy via Netgalley 

The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank - Copy via Netgalley 

*****************

What have you been reading?

July 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

We Are All Guilty Here (North Falls #1) by Karin Slaughter - I loved this book, and loved to see a little #1 beside it indicating more are coming. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Fifth to Die (4MK Thriller #2) and The Sixth Wicked Child (4MK Thriller #3 by J.D. Barker - The second and third books in the series are as riveting as the first. I love to come into a series late because all books are available to rip through. OCNJ library paper back for 2 and hardcover for 3

Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon - I love a cult theme, and this delivered on that. The aftermath life was a good storyline as well. Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor - Read in a few hours - good story and pace

Thanks to the publisher for the invite to a free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The White Crow (Philomena McCarthy #2) by Michael Robatham - This series by Michael Robatham does not disappoint. Anxiously awaiting #3 Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood - I liked this concept but it took forever to progress, feeling like wheels stuck in mud at points. Despite that, I still felt it worthy to see through to the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross - Lots of thoughts and feelings over the themes in this book. Sensitive. Topical. I thought they were handled well. I don't mind alternating POVs but preferred Hazel's to everyone else's by quite a wide margin, which made those other POV chapters feel like work to get through and pulled my reading experience down a little. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Writers and Liars by Carol Goodman - This was strange as hell, and disconcerting at points, but worth it to see through to the end. Locked door mysteries are almost always strange and disconcerting to me, requiring a lot of suspension of disbelief, so it tracks. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox - Men. SMH. That's it, that's the whole review. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Maggie; Or, A Man and a Woman walk into a Bar by Katie Yee - I really liked how this was written, I think it leaned in to how fleeting things in this life are, even when we think they are forever Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

Beautiful Nights by Nina George - Did not like slash loathed all of these characters, which cast a pall over the things that drew me to it - the setting of a French seaside in summer, family drama, forbidden love affair. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Mayra by Nicky Gonzalez - For some reason I missed the memo in advance that this leaned to horror, which is not my comfort zone. Good for you, not for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exhange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline - Copy from Netgalley - pains me to not finish a book by an author I like but this was not it for me

Greenwich by Kate Broad - Copy from Netgalley

*****************

What have you been reading?

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

*****************

What have you been reading?

May 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

One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune - I think I've read a Carly Fortune at the end of May for three years in a row. This one was by far my favorite. Easy and quick. OCNJ library hardcover

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - Love love five star love. I devour her books and this was no exception. Climate crisis timely, be prepared. OCNJ library hardcover

The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei - I had to keep reminding myself this was a debut. Good writing, character driven with one I started liking and ended up hating. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Love Haters by Katherine Center - I'm a solid fan of Katherine Center and this one filled my yearly desire to read something only she produces. I love to go in knowing sort of what I'm getting, liking the story I've read nothing about in advance, and finishing it in a few hours. She always delivers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin - This was like being cut and healed on every other page. I five star loved it, and love even more when that happens with a book I know nothing about and picked based on the title. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Daughters by Kirsty Capes (this appears to sometimes be called Girls?) - Heavy as hell and hard to read at times due to that and hard to say it was enjoyable due to that but it was a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

By the Time You Read This by Brianna Labuskes - Raisa Susanto #1 - love this series - I hope it continues. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers - This was a train running off the tracks several times, and the ending felt abrupt and also like a kick in the nuts, but still passed the time just fine and was a quick read. OCNJ library hardcover

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I think I've read one of hers at the end of the past two Mays as well? This one tied up nicely which I need sometimes. I put up with the teenager POV chapters but as I've said many times underage narrators are not my favorite. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune by Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe - What a despicable line of small people with great and squandered wealth. Audio, listened in car

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley - I found the beginning of this really repetetive, but if my Dad was Elvis and died early in my life I'd probably repeat a lot of things about my time with him when he was alive too. I've always felt very sorry for Lisa Marie and this added to the cause. Thankful to her daughter for picking this up and completing it after Lisa Marie's death. Audio - started in March, finished in May because audio is not my preferred format to consume a book, ever, and I can usually only manage nonfiction

The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr - A slow roll with a lot of town personality. Love an Irish story, and I liked it told by the town. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Spider's Web by Mike Omer - I standardly like Mike Omer books with one or two exceptions. It took me a bit with this one, but I will continue on in the series. Used paperback, own

A Thousand Natural Shocks by Omar Hussain - Snappy and intense. Loved the writing. Cults and serial killers and a tender examination of a father/som relationship? In a debut novel? Whew. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest reviews 

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - An intriguing story, if a little sluggish at points. The end was worth it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 6/3

 

Not For Me

The Best We Could Hope For by Nicola Kraus - Generational trauma and dysfunction, whew. Some very hard to read things. About midway through, I had to go back and read the first chapter again. It felt overwritten and I lost a bit of the plot in it when I first read it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow - I maybe overdid it on YA the past few months as this was a slog to get through. Teen romance folks & lovers of a plot twist, this may be for you. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter - This one opened with a bang but was a little hard to stick with and left me with several questions due to dangling plot lines. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner - I'm a standard Jennifer Weiner fan but this was not it for me. I know weight is one of her themes but it felt forced and dusty in this one. I also did not like anyone. OCNJ library hardcover

Did Not Finish

n/a

*****************

What have you been reading?