The Housemaid's Secret

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Pure fun. This author is perfect for quick, twisty reads.

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a year ago

The Housemaid's Secret

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Pure fun. This author is perfect for quick, twisty reads.

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a year ago

Murdle: Volume 2, 100 Elementary to Impossible Mysteries to Solve Using Logic, Skill, and the Power of Deduction

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I love these so much. Logic puzzles with mysterious circumstances happening too. Just perfect.

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a year ago

The Rom-Commers

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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!

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a year ago

What Waits in the Woods

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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.

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a year ago

A Place for Vanishing

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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!


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a year ago

House of Glass

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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!


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a year ago

What Kind of Mother

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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.

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a year ago

By Any Other Name

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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? 😭

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a year ago

House of Glass

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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!


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a year ago

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

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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.

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a year ago

The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us

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As a long-time true crime fan, I was intrigued when Celadon Books offered me a review copy of The Tragedy of True Crime. The author, an inmate himself, brings a unique perspective that immediately piqued my interest.

While the insider viewpoint is interesting, the book’s structure leaves much to be desired. Within the same chapter (and sometimes paragraph ) the different stories are mixed together without clear transitions, making the narrative feel jumbled and disjointed. The author frequently inserts his own story mid-way through another, which disrupts the flow and made it hard to stay engaged.

That said, the inmates’ stories—how they ended up incarcerated and how they cope— were compelling. Despite the frustrating format, the content itself is worthwhile.

This one wasn’t quite for me, but true crime fans who can look past the structural flaws may find it a fascinating read. The Tragedy of True Crime releases September 23, 2025—thank you to Celadon Books for the review copy.

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a year ago

Ordinary Monsters

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This one sat on my shelf for ages, and I’m glad I finally picked it up as I was craving a doorstopper.


Yes, it’s long—and at times it feels long—but I wouldn’t cut a page. As the first in the series, it needs the room it takes: the scope, the darkness, the ache, and the slow unfurling of its characters. Trimming it would ruin it.


If you’re up for a slow burn with richly developed characters and a story that lingers, move this to the top of your TBR. The pain, grief, and beauty are all there, and the writing makes every heavy moment worth it.

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a year ago