This is a fast-paced, gripping mystery. I finished this in two days because I had such a hard time putting this down. I would think I knew where it was going, only for something else to pop up and surprise me. I had an inkling in the beginning, and thought I knew who was ultimately behind it all. I kept going back and forth because of the unfolding story. Turns out my first instinct was correct. Man this was fun to read.
This is a fast-paced, gripping mystery. I finished this in two days because I had such a hard time putting this down. I would think I knew where it was going, only for something else to pop up and surprise me. I had an inkling in the beginning, and thought I knew who was ultimately behind it all. I kept going back and forth because of the unfolding story. Turns out my first instinct was correct. Man this was fun to read.
The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby is a moving read. I'm not a huge fan of ballets, but have seen a few shows. I am always in awe of the beautiful and gracefulness of the dancers.
This book gives long-overdue recognition to five ballerinas who helped shape the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Their stories are both inspiring and heartbreaking. The sacrifices these ladies made is nothing short of amazing.
Knowing nothing of these women beforehand, the author's writing makes it easy to really get a feel for who they are and what they went through. At times the narrative jumps around a bit, but overall it’s a beautiful and necessary celebration of talent and legacy that deserves to be remembered.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby is a moving read. I'm not a huge fan of ballets, but have seen a few shows. I am always in awe of the beautiful and gracefulness of the dancers.
This book gives long-overdue recognition to five ballerinas who helped shape the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Their stories are both inspiring and heartbreaking. The sacrifices these ladies made is nothing short of amazing.
Knowing nothing of these women beforehand, the author's writing makes it easy to really get a feel for who they are and what they went through. At times the narrative jumps around a bit, but overall it’s a beautiful and necessary celebration of talent and legacy that deserves to be remembered.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Well OK then!!! This is definitely an easy 2021 favorite and the easiest 5⭐s to give. That's the most FUN I've had reading in a while. I wasn't just immersed in the story...I was involved! I forgot where I was and what time it was. I “woke” up from the book and literally hours had passed. Sorry not sorry
Well OK then!!! This is definitely an easy 2021 favorite and the easiest 5⭐s to give. That's the most FUN I've had reading in a while. I wasn't just immersed in the story...I was involved! I forgot where I was and what time it was. I “woke” up from the book and literally hours had passed. Sorry not sorry
I love these so much. Logic puzzles with mysterious circumstances happening too. Just perfect.
I love these so much. Logic puzzles with mysterious circumstances happening too. Just perfect.
Katherine Center never disappoints! The Rom-Commers was exactly the pick-me-up I needed. This story is charming and full of heart. I laughed, I teared up, and I was completely hooked from the very first page. I finished this in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down. A fun, feel-good romance with all the heart and emotion you’d expect from Center—absolutely perfect!
Katherine Center never disappoints! The Rom-Commers was exactly the pick-me-up I needed. This story is charming and full of heart. I laughed, I teared up, and I was completely hooked from the very first page. I finished this in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down. A fun, feel-good romance with all the heart and emotion you’d expect from Center—absolutely perfect!
I have been on a spooky/mystery/crime fiction type of kick lately and this one was perfect for me. There is a good mix of characters, mystery and creepy all within a small town feel which is my jam. There is one character I wish the author explored a little more, but I cannot say without giving a hint of the story away. I was seeing a different outcome when this particular tangent came about, but was wrong LOL.
I actually enjoyed the way this one ended and of course, like usual, I didn't realize this was part of a series so thankfully I didn't miss anything by not reading the first book. I do want to go back and grab that one now though because I like Rita and would like to read about her beginning.
This is a good one for mystery fans so if this genre is normally your thing, grab this and give it a read. I sincerely appreciate Kensington Books for the review copy.
I have been on a spooky/mystery/crime fiction type of kick lately and this one was perfect for me. There is a good mix of characters, mystery and creepy all within a small town feel which is my jam. There is one character I wish the author explored a little more, but I cannot say without giving a hint of the story away. I was seeing a different outcome when this particular tangent came about, but was wrong LOL.
I actually enjoyed the way this one ended and of course, like usual, I didn't realize this was part of a series so thankfully I didn't miss anything by not reading the first book. I do want to go back and grab that one now though because I like Rita and would like to read about her beginning.
This is a good one for mystery fans so if this genre is normally your thing, grab this and give it a read. I sincerely appreciate Kensington Books for the review copy.
Just wow!! It’s been way too long since a horror book completely pulled me in like this—and now A Place for Vanishing is officially one of my 2025 favorites. I’ve always enjoyed horror stories set in homes. They just hit different—probably because we all live in one, so the fear feels extra close to home (pun intended).
This book is a perfect mix of beautiful and bone-chilling. The atmosphere is creepy and unsettling, and the author juggles so many emotions—fear, grief, love, and more—without ever dropping the ball. It’s haunting in the best way.
The family dynamic between the mother and her daughters is so raw and real. It doesn’t shy away from showing how trauma weaves itself into relationships, and that made this story and everything that happens that much better. It’s like watching a nightmare slowly leak into reality.
I want to say more but don't want to spoil anyhing—you need to read this for yourself. It’s perfect for Spooktober, or honestly, any crisp Fall evening when goosebumps are on the menu. Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
Just wow!! It’s been way too long since a horror book completely pulled me in like this—and now A Place for Vanishing is officially one of my 2025 favorites. I’ve always enjoyed horror stories set in homes. They just hit different—probably because we all live in one, so the fear feels extra close to home (pun intended).
This book is a perfect mix of beautiful and bone-chilling. The atmosphere is creepy and unsettling, and the author juggles so many emotions—fear, grief, love, and more—without ever dropping the ball. It’s haunting in the best way.
The family dynamic between the mother and her daughters is so raw and real. It doesn’t shy away from showing how trauma weaves itself into relationships, and that made this story and everything that happens that much better. It’s like watching a nightmare slowly leak into reality.
I want to say more but don't want to spoil anyhing—you need to read this for yourself. It’s perfect for Spooktober, or honestly, any crisp Fall evening when goosebumps are on the menu. Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
I don’t usually go for domestic suspense, but this one kept me interested. It’s a bit slow at times, and some of the characters got on my nerves, but overall it was a quick and easy read.
I liked Stella as a character, though some of her parts felt a little out of place and maybe not totally necessary. Still, I enjoyed the mystery and how the secrets came to light.
The ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t quite what I expected, but it tied things up well enough. I’d recommend it to fans of this author or anyone who enjoys a twisty domestic suspense.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
I don’t usually go for domestic suspense, but this one kept me interested. It’s a bit slow at times, and some of the characters got on my nerves, but overall it was a quick and easy read.
I liked Stella as a character, though some of her parts felt a little out of place and maybe not totally necessary. Still, I enjoyed the mystery and how the secrets came to light.
The ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t quite what I expected, but it tied things up well enough. I’d recommend it to fans of this author or anyone who enjoys a twisty domestic suspense.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
I’ve enjoyed this author’s work in the past, so I was really looking forward to diving into this one—especially since horror is my go-to genre any time of year. Life’s been a little hectic lately, so I’ve been playing catch-up with my ARCs, and this one was at the top of my stack. The timing felt perfect too, with the weather cooling down and Fall creeping in.
The book starts off with all the right spooky vibes: a small-town setting, a girl who swore she’d never come back, and the boy she once had feelings for still there. Their reconnection under eerie circumstances sets the tone perfectly... and then things get weird.
Now, I loved the horror and supernatural elements the story leans into—but it starts spiraling into chaos a little too fast. While I get what the author was going for, the pacing felt rushed and the plot lost some of its grounding. It gave off strong B-movie horror vibes, which I usually enjoy, but here it left me wanting more depth—especially around the connection between Skyler and Madi.
I hovered between a 3 and 4, ultimately settling on 3 stars. I think (for me anyway) this could’ve benefited from just a bit more development between Skyler and Madi. That said, it’s a fun pick for Spooktober—just maybe skip it if you're squeamish about gore or if small children in horror aren’t your thing.
Big thanks to Quirk Books for the review copy! I’m still excited to see what this author writes next.
I’ve enjoyed this author’s work in the past, so I was really looking forward to diving into this one—especially since horror is my go-to genre any time of year. Life’s been a little hectic lately, so I’ve been playing catch-up with my ARCs, and this one was at the top of my stack. The timing felt perfect too, with the weather cooling down and Fall creeping in.
The book starts off with all the right spooky vibes: a small-town setting, a girl who swore she’d never come back, and the boy she once had feelings for still there. Their reconnection under eerie circumstances sets the tone perfectly... and then things get weird.
Now, I loved the horror and supernatural elements the story leans into—but it starts spiraling into chaos a little too fast. While I get what the author was going for, the pacing felt rushed and the plot lost some of its grounding. It gave off strong B-movie horror vibes, which I usually enjoy, but here it left me wanting more depth—especially around the connection between Skyler and Madi.
I hovered between a 3 and 4, ultimately settling on 3 stars. I think (for me anyway) this could’ve benefited from just a bit more development between Skyler and Madi. That said, it’s a fun pick for Spooktober—just maybe skip it if you're squeamish about gore or if small children in horror aren’t your thing.
Big thanks to Quirk Books for the review copy! I’m still excited to see what this author writes next.
An easy five stars—and another favorite of 2025.
This author never misses. The writing is consistently beautiful, immersive, and emotionally resonant—I always find myself crying at some point, and this book was no different.
I’m a sucker for dual timelines, and this one had the perfect balance between historical fiction and the present day. The Shakespeare conspiracy is a fun addition and added a lot to the story for me.
Both love stories—past and present—completely stole my heart. They were tender, deeply felt, and full of emotion. And that ending? 😭
An easy five stars—and another favorite of 2025.
This author never misses. The writing is consistently beautiful, immersive, and emotionally resonant—I always find myself crying at some point, and this book was no different.
I’m a sucker for dual timelines, and this one had the perfect balance between historical fiction and the present day. The Shakespeare conspiracy is a fun addition and added a lot to the story for me.
Both love stories—past and present—completely stole my heart. They were tender, deeply felt, and full of emotion. And that ending? 😭
I don’t usually go for domestic suspense, but this one kept me interested. It’s a bit slow at times, and some of the characters got on my nerves, but overall it was a quick and easy read.
I liked Stella as a character, though some of her parts felt a little out of place and maybe not totally necessary. Still, I enjoyed the mystery and how the secrets came to light.
The ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t quite what I expected, but it tied things up well enough. I’d recommend it to fans of this author or anyone who enjoys a twisty domestic suspense.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
I don’t usually go for domestic suspense, but this one kept me interested. It’s a bit slow at times, and some of the characters got on my nerves, but overall it was a quick and easy read.
I liked Stella as a character, though some of her parts felt a little out of place and maybe not totally necessary. Still, I enjoyed the mystery and how the secrets came to light.
The ending felt a bit rushed and wasn’t quite what I expected, but it tied things up well enough. I’d recommend it to fans of this author or anyone who enjoys a twisty domestic suspense.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!
I watched the entire Dexter series and only recently discovered it was based on a book series—so of course, I had to dive in! It's fun to read Dexter’s perspective this way, and I’m excited to continue the rest of the series.
I watched the entire Dexter series and only recently discovered it was based on a book series—so of course, I had to dive in! It's fun to read Dexter’s perspective this way, and I’m excited to continue the rest of the series.