June 2026 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

Holy Island (DCI Ryan Mysteries 1) by LJ Ross - I've read a few of the Alexander Gregory series books, but these have me. And there are 24, so I'll be happy to have this series to fall back on. The only thing is LJ Ross books aren't super easy to get in the U.S. paperback, own

Sycamore Gap (DCI Ryan 2) by LJ Ross - Had to stay up until 2 am on a schoolnight to finish 1, destroying my sleep rhythm for the rest of the week, and also start 2 immediately at 2 am because I'm insane. paperback, own

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - Apparently the readers are very divided on this one, but I couldn't put this down, and that is what receives the highest mark from me these days. This was wild. OCNJ library hardcover

Some People by Parini Schroff - I loved these characters. This was a much deeper character dive than I've gotten from a lot of books recently, and I didn't realize how much I missed it. I liked how it was told in days also. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

The Season of Sinking by Daphne Woolsoncroft - I spent a lot of time screaming DON'T DO IT, IMOGEN internally throughout this book, and of course she did it, always, so I had to keep reading. This was a ride. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan - If Dervla puts it out, I'm reading it, and I have not regretted that yet, this book included. This one was clever AF. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 21

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men by Danny McBride - This was fun, and it absolutely reads Danny McBride - funny and smart. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Country People by Daniel Mason - With appreciation for the Russian lit lines, the family pets, New England scenes and characters. The actual telling of the story was a little hard for me to settle in with, but a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 7

Passed the Time Just Fine

Long Island Girls by Gabrielle Korn - My hot take is I don’t think Eliza adds to this book in any way. I very much enjoyed the queer woman coming of age in New York City and the pop culture references (although a little young for me), but I think the summary does this book a disservice selling it as something it is not when what it is is just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

Night Songs by Alli Dyer - Loved the parts set in the past, and every time I came back to the present I was pulled out a bit. Rhea was my least favorite character, so that probably explains it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams - It took me a while to get into the present day, maybe halfway through? Still a solid summer read, Beatriz Williams-style. I loved Punkin. Also loved the inclusion of old characters from a previous book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Killer Vibes (Peter Key 1) by Jack Friday - A queer, stoner, lackadaisical PI reminding me fondly of Archy McNally - solid start to a series. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews - It’s been a while since I’ve read a Mary Kay Andrews book. I enjoyed the story and nearly all the characters in it, but it drug in the middle. Cut out 50-75 pages and it would be golden. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West - Always love a book that highlights the inequities when certain (read: non-white) women go missing, and this book does that. I liked the story and characters. Pacing slowed too much for me from about 1/4 to 3/4, but it was good enough to keep going. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey - This was…a miss for me. I’ve come to rely on a release from her around May or June to be a lighter read and this was a drama llama and an entire pot of ethical shit stew. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

June Baby by Shannon Garvey - Strong start but the pacing was a little slow in this, and it could stand to lose about 75 pages. Still a decent summer story. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Did Not Finish

 Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull - free copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

May 2026 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

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff - Totally left this off my monthly reading list above, fuck. Anyway... Beautifully written and devastating in the best way. Sarah Damoff has done it again. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola - Loved this and could not put it down. Raw, messy, and real. I was sad to say goodbye to these siblings. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Love by the Book by Jessica George - Forever a lover of books centering female friendship, and this did not disappoint. I enjoy Jessica George’s writing and the emotions it encourages so much. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers - Turns out I still love Dave's writing, although it's been many years since I last read something by him. So it took a while to come back to me that he starts slow and builds and I'm a little bored then I'm all in. Loved the long story told through art lenses, along with the art and friendship themes. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen - An exploration of grief, told with care and injected with warmth and humor. Heaviness lightened by perspective and characters - Cleo is great. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Shippers by Katherine Center - The main characters were young in this, and it showed. Sometimes I was like grow up LOL. Still a quick good read for a rainy day - Katherine Center always delivers a solid love story in May. Thanks to the publisher for the invite to read an advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead - Fabulous premise - fire, women supporting women, we're all we've got - and middling execution - procedural, a bit slow. There were so many characters. Still a worthy read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/14

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer - Loved the writing and the concept of living differently as we age, but did not enjoy the reality of bad Joy the character. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The May House by Jillian Cantor - I liked the premise and setting. Took me a little to get into. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The House of Now and Then by Edward Underhill - A little romance, the beach, magical realism? Yes please. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Night Objects by Eli Raphael - This was a solid boarding school book. The end was pretty drawn out and overall the book could stand to lose about 50 pages. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Go Gentle by Maria Semple - Great concept, but it seemed to lose some steam around 35% that it never fully picked up again, maybe due to overload of plot directions? Still a solid read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Honey by Imani Thompson - Yrsa was an interesting main character. A little pacing issue for me, but a solid debut. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Take Me With You by Stephen Rowley - My second magical realism of the month - loved this premise but it felt like more of a surface read than the author’s previous novels. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Wash-Ashores by Hannah McKinnon - Cute and quick read. I liked the concept and the characters 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 6/30 

Not For Me

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman - This started off strong for me and then my interest waned a little less than halfway through. I pushed through the rest because I wanted to know a few things, otherwise I would not have finished. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Someone Else's Husband by Kimberly McCreight - Gretchen was absolutely delusional and that was difficult to get through. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Did Not Finish

The Gathering by Rachel Lynch - Free advanced copy from Netgalley, publishes 6/17 

Where the Water Meets the Sky by Diane Les Becquets - Free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

April 2026 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

Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean - This will be among my favorites of the year, I'm calling it now. I started it as soon as I got it and it sucked me in like Ellie Black did. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 10/6

Overdue by Stephanie Perkins - Not my typical read as it's romance-y, but I enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen - I liked this so much. Who among us has not had a quarter life crisis, there's a song lyric about it for god's sake. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Frenzy: Stories by Joyce Carol Oates - This was a good collection of weird short stories, and as always with short stories I wanted most of them to be longer while admiring the skill it takes to write them as presented. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 6/16

Honey in the Wound by Jiyoung Han - This is a tremendous debut and a masterful weaving of reality and magical realism, but man this is a gut punch and devastating in many ways. Tales that need telling are not always tales easy to digest. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier - I always anticipate a new Jennifer Hillier with glee. This one had a lot going on but I enjoyed it and it came together well, if not a little rushed at the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/25

The Shark House by Sara Ackerman - I was surprised by how much I liked this and how much I liked and felt for the sharks in it LOL. Library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams - What a weird little town. I liked Dolores and the storyline, but not necessarily the execution or the pace with which things came together. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

United States of Oligarchy: How America's Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy by Casey Michel - Nonfiction is not my jam but this was timely and frustrating. I wish more people understood what oligarchy is and how it functions and the impact it has on regular people. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/4

When I Kill You by B.A. Paris - I made quick work of this in one afternoon - I was meh on it until about halfway through, then it kicked in. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Encounters with Unexpected Animals by Bret Anthony Johnston - Solid short story collection with  animals in them, sure, but most of the focus on the animals we are as people. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Not For Me

The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D'Amato - This read very YA. Unrelated - lots of Taylor Swift references. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

We Fell Apart (We Were Liars #3) by E. Lockhart - About halfway through this, I realized I couldn't remember anything about #2, but I don't think that would have helped. I thought about putting this down but didn't. I could have and been fine with that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Probability of Murder by J.D. Barker - I was pumped for this since I was a latecomer for the Monkey series or whatever it's called, and I tore through those. This was a little slow and repetitive but it picked up about halfway through. Interesting premise and set local-ish to me which I always like. The math was well over my head but I respect it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 6/2

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister - It pains me to put you down here in this category, friend. But lord the insane missteps and just fucking lunatic choices in this book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 65/5

Like This, But Funnier by Hallie Cantor - This is billed as laugh out loud funny and for fans of HBO's Hacks and it is not and it is not. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

 Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez - via Netgalley, publishes 5/12

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What have you been reading?

March 2026 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

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser - This knocked my socks clean off. Fantastic writing, a stunning flip on a well known story, incredible and imaginative retelling. The last line of the book is perfection, 10/10 no notes. Thanks to St. Martins Press for the free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review    

Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker - This book. It will without a doubt be in my top three this year. I loved The characters, the story, the writing. It had grit and heart. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes May 19

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth - Loved the Kenny Lane crew, and I always love a snarky but soft senior lady as a main character. Quietly devastating in spots. Thanks to the publisher for the invite to read an advanced copy via Netgalley 

Imposter (Alexander Gregory Thrillers 1) by L.J. Ross - A promising series, we know I love a little mystery series. I can't for the life of me recall where I heard about these. Reddit? Or maybe one was available on Netgalley, and I sussed out it was a series and went back to the beginning. Used paperback, own, passed on in Little Free Library

Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave -  Messy and beautiful and a little devastating in some spots. Human, in other words. Erica was hard to like from the beginning. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris - I sunk deep into this one - survival, redemption, piecing yourself back together, identity, found family...all with the backdrop of flowers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Moonshine Women by Michelle Collins Anderson - I haven’t read many books set during the Prohibition era that were actually about it in some way. I  liked that angle, but the term “prohi” drove me completely insane.

That aside, I liked this! It felt fun even when it was serious (and there are some damn serious things within). Loved the Ozarks setting. Shine was a great character. I  would have liked more of Lidy and Rebecca. 

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

Passed the Time Just Fine

Hysteria (Alexander Gregory Thrillers 2) by L.J. Ross - A decent follow up, and I'd like to zoom through these but unfortunately they're not easily found in America right now. Heading to Europe next week and will likely look there. Used paperback, own, passed on in Little Free Library

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle - A quick read - who doesn’t love a little magical realism and a beach setting? Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - I also saw the author on tour for the book so own a hardcover copy and read that one

The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown - Still WTFing this ending a little. I liked The past storyline a lot, feel like it could have ended sooner. The present storyline was a unique perspective/glimpse into that world. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh - Very interesting premise, and I liked the ending. I  struggled with the main character and the intro into her life as it is now and all the things going and with pacing in some spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 19

All the World Can Holdy by Jung Yun - A little slow but good - brought me right back to the surreal weeks after September 11. This felt more timely than ever. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn - Least favorite Kate Quinn by a mile. This almost went down into not for me. Library hard cover

Talking to the Wolf by Rebecca Chace - I wasn’t sure I’d stick with this at first, but I’m glad I did. Love and loss and music and female friendship through life’s ups and downs over decades. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 19

Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat - Definitely YA. Cute! A quick read with likable characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 19

Not For Me

Love at First Bite by Katherine Dyson - A quick read despite being a little slow to get into - I liked the concept, but thought there would be more vampire lore given the description. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay - Missed this on the overview image, whoops. This was really hard for me to get into, I didn't love the cadence of returning to the day. There were some extra directions that seemed to draw this out unnecessarily. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

 N/a

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What have you been reading?

February 2026 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

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi - Loved this perspective, writing, and story. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns - I took my time with this one, and it was worth it. Elle Harlow was a great character and easy to root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/3

The Johnson Four by Christina Hammonds Reed - I’ve never read anything quite like this - Christmas (insert heartbreak/crying emoji) - loved the writing, intricacies and nuance and layers, characters…this family! I was celebrating with them and getting my heart broken with them. Some pacing issues but I couldn’t put this down. Thanks to the publisher for a free copy via Netgalley 

The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow by Leah Weiss - There was a little repetition and I didn’t gel with the writing in spots or one of the main characters but loved the setting, story, overall cast of characters, and themes and flew through it. A timely reminder of nature and the e power and magic of women and how those things connect. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/24 

James by Percival Everett - I left this out of my reading plans for a long time because I am not a fan of its companion book or any book by Mark Twain. This was good. Do I think the sun rose and set out of its binding like many people everyone else? I do not. 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Pillagers' Guide to Arctic Pianos by Kendra Langford Shaw - Quirky, and a great concept, but it felt like wading through words at points and that's not my most enjoyable reading experience. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/12 

Liberty Island by Virginia Hume - I expected to slide right into this one like I did with Haven Point, but alas that was not the case. It was a long slow intro - lots of characters up front and that felt chaotic. After it settled in, it was a reliable multi generational family saga with a Maine backdrop and an examination of how women and girls define freedom and carve out places and scenarios for themselves in times when freedom is not meant for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/5 

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger - I found this childhood book at an antiques store and had to go home and give it a re-read. At this age, that took under an hour. 

Only Spell Deep by Ava Morgyn - I never win when I play the I'm reading this book by this author but in the back of my reptilian brain comparing it to another of the author's. I loved her last book so much, and this one was fine but didn't compare, and honestly how can it when it's a different book, I'm a different person than even just yesterday let alone a few months back when I read sothe last one. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/17

Good Intentions by Marisa Walz - Cady was a lot, and became increasingly more throughout. I think I would Have liked this more with a heavier handed edit - it could be 50-75 pages shorter if I had to estimate. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman - I love a family drama and this delivered on that - pacing a little slow in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis - Loved the setting and I thought the overall story was good but the pacing was off and the characters felt flat. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book comes out 6/16

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson - When JJ hits, she hits. When she doesn't, she doesn't. This was not a hit for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book comes out 3/3

Dollface by Lindy Ryan - I like Lindy Ryan’s writing but the horror crossover is not my sweet spot. Definitely not related to Scream either, which it's been billed as. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

Did Not Finish

The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery - via Netgalley, out 3/3

Harmless Women by Rebecca Sharpe - via Netgalley, out 4/7

Westward Women by Alice Martin - via Netgalley, out 3/10 

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What have you been reading?