
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with plenty of laughs and a cast of characters you'll actually want to spend time with, pick this up!
The group dynamic made this such a fun read, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. Even while solving a mystery, the story never lost its warmth or charm. The mystery itself was good too and kept me interested, but it was really the characters that made this book shine. They felt genuine, entertaining, and like people I'd would be friends with. It has been a while since I really enjoyed a cozy mystery like this.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries with humor this one is definitely worth picking up. A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I ready the premise, it sounded good, so I had high hopes going into this one. Sadly, it ended up being an average read for me. The atmosphere was ok, and there were moments that hinted at a possible engaging mystery, but the pacing was much slower than I expected.
I found it difficult to stay invested for much of the story. While the writing itself was solid, the plot took a long time to build, and there weren't enough twists or suspenseful moments along the way. I guess I expected to much with this one.
Overall, The Lost House wasn't a bad book—it simply didn't hold my attention the way I'd hoped. If you have this one on your radar, give it a read, you may have a better experience than I did.
This ended up being an okay read, but it wasn't quite what I was hoping for. The premise was unique and definitely had potential, especially with the promise of an alien invasion, that only happens because of the collective group in the story.
The pacing was the biggest challenge for me. Much of the story felt slow, and I found myself waiting for the plot to really take off. By the time the alien invasion became a central focus, it felt like I'd spent too much time getting there and I struggled even wanting to finish it.
I did enjoy the quirky cast of characters, and they added some charm and personality to the story. Unfortunately, they weren't enough to overcome the slow pacing.
Overall, this was an average read for me. Readers who enjoy slow-burn science fiction with eccentric characters may appreciate it more, but I was hoping for more.
I had so much fun reading Teddy Bears Never Die!
This was my first time reading Korean horror, and it definitely won't be my last. The blend of horror and romance made for such a unique reading experience, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in. It ended up being both entertaining and different from what I have been reading recently.
The story had plenty of creepy moments which completely works for me...big horror fan lol. If you're looking to try something a little outside your usual reading comfort zone, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a chance. This would actually be a good one for Spooktober too, especially for those who are always on the lookout for something scary without excessive gore.
A huge thank you to Hachette Book Group for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Based on the description, I went into this expecting a mystery, but it ended up being centered on Brynn and the challenges she faced after giving birth.
The novel spends a significant amount of time exploring postpartum struggles, the pressures of motherhood, and Brynn's emotional state. Those aspects were thoughtfully written and added depth to her character, but they took over the story.
The story wasn't bad by any means, but the pacing felt slower because it focused more on Brynn's personal journey than on building suspense. If you're looking for an emotional exploration of new motherhood with a mystery woven into the background, this may be a good fit. If you're expecting a fast-paced thriller or mystery, you may find yourself wanting a bit more.
Overall, it was an okay read, just didn't quite match my expectations.
I have been wanting to read this series ever since I first saw it, way before it became a show and a big deal LOL. I finally broke down and bought this beautiful special edition set, and started reading.
I started this and finished in less than 2 days! This was so perfect. I love the chemistry, I love the banter, I love the emotion. Everything about this book was perfect.
Definitely something I needed, especially with everything going on in my life right now. This was the exact pick-me-up I needed. I already have the next two in this series and we'll be reading those next.
I love books like this...the kind that keep me flipping pages because I need to know what happens next. I was definitely in the mood for a fast-paced mystery with twists, thrills, and just enough darkness to keep things interesting.
The ghost story mixed into the book added a fun element too. I mean, who doesn’t love a woodsy setting with a haunted tale wrapped around it?
Grab this one if you’re in the mood for a darker mystery with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
The premise for The Women in White sounded interesting and I was happy to get a review copy. Thank you NetGalley 😊
It took me a little bit to get into this one as it is a slow read and slow build. I would not classify this as a thriller but more of a mystery. All the excitement is towards the very end of the story which is the most enjoyable part.
I do love Betty and Riley and the story of the four friends, what they go through, and their love for each other. Overall, not a bad read, just not what I was expecting.
I love locked-room mysteries and stories with bookstores and libraries. I also love the darker side of things once in a while. The Library After Dark is a tantalizing mystery with interesting characters wrapped around dark secrets.
My favorite part of this book, was the Dark Hearth Tales that are scattered throughout. They are indeed dark and added a fun element without taking away from the main story.
I haven't read this author before and I'm glad I was sent this one by Random House Books. I appreciate the review copy and recommend this one for fans of locked room mysteries.
Now this is what I needed. A seriously funny, heartwarming, all-the-feels romance. I loved everything about this one but most especially the banter between Miles and Daphne.
I could relate to a lot of what Daphne was feeling and the tears fell a few times. Definitely grab this one if you are looking for a feel-good read.
I am so glad I started reading this series. The difference between the movie and the books so far are staggering. I will always love the movies but the books so far, are amazing. I actually like the storyline in the books way better. This is definitely one time when the saying fits perfectly... the book is better than the movie.
When I first read the blurb on this one, I was excited. Everything about this sounded great. The first few chapters were amazing and I got sucked in right away.
However, it soon became extremely slow and had too many different storylines going on at once. It felt like I was reading a lot of little stories which messed with the flow. It took me a few months to get though this, which for me isn't normal.
Overall, the premise was great but just not a love for me.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
I have watched this movie so many times that I finally decided it was time to read the books. I'm glad I did. The book is so vastly different from the movie it is worth the read for anyone who hasn't yet.
I always expect differences from books and movies but not like this. The characters, the story, the knowledge of the Glade, etc. is so different that I actually disliked some of the characters LOL.
Despite the major differences, I enjoyed the book a lot, and will continue with the next installments as I am curious to see how different those are from the movies.
I'm really torn with this one. I wanted to read a Rom-Com, filled with a lot of love, some chasing, a little bit of flirting, and you know ... all the things. While this has some of that, there is also grief. A lot of it, most of which I felt unnecessary.
The format of this one drove me nuts too. I honestly had no idea how much time had actually passed between Clay and Josie until it was stated farther into the book. All the back and forth time warps were frustrating.
The suspense the authors were trying to build fell flat, for me at least. After learning the reason behind it all...the need to even have a second chance at love, I was done.
I never read Book 1, and didn't know this was part of a series, just with different main characters. From what I can tell by reading some reviews, Book 1 has the same format as When I Should Have Stayed so I probably won't be reading that one.
While this one wasn't for me, it seems like others really enjoyed it. If this is on your radar, I would give it a read and see where you land.
One of my good friends sent me this book because she knows I’m always here for horror books and weird stories. As usual, she nailed it. We tend to love the same kinds of books, and this one was no exception.
I haven’t read much historical horror outside of vampires and similar stories. It was strange, unsettling, and oddly enjoyable. I could see this being a perfect Spooktober read, especially for people wanting to dip into horror without nonstop gore or overly terrifying scenes taking over the story.
I’m still not totally sure how I feel about Ellie, and the ending definitely went in a different direction than I expected, but overall I really enjoyed this one and flew through it pretty quickly.
Definitely recommend this if you’re looking for something original, atmospheric, weird, and just a little unsettling.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. On one hand, I did enjoy it for the most part. On the other hand, the main characters are frustrating and highly annoying.
Maybe it's because I don't get the whole weather person craze and having a huge fan base for it. I also thought it was unbelievable as far as the reveal at the end. I felt that coming but I was hoping it wasn't going in that direction.
Overall though, not a bad read. I would say this is a good one for fans who enjoy obsessive fan base type reads, and have an enjoyment of media and the news.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
This time around, Charlene and her peeps are putting on a mermaid festival. There are two factions of groups that each have a favorite mermaid movie and mermaid actress. When one of the actresses ends up dead, chaos ensues. Who knew having a favorite mermaid actress could be so deadly. LOL
Once again, another fun installment of this cozy series. I love everything about it, the setting, the characters, the ghost and supernatural elements and the mysteries.
This was a quick read. Not especially thrilling but a fun one just the same. I have mixed feelings about the characters though but if the author was going for a mean girl cliche who are friends but not really, then this definitely fits that theme.
The circus game they play each year, was an interesting idea but I felt like it was lacking. I wanted more details, more game play...just more.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read and I enjoyed it. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
While this could be a little slow at times, I enjoyed it. My favorite part of this one is that it has a cozy mystery feel and while it plays off Sherlock Holmes, it is still unique enough in the way it plays out.
The setting for this one is ideal if you like closed/locked room mysteries. While this takes place on a boat, it fits that scenario well.
The characters are well-rounded and the writing easy to follow.
Perfect for fans of mysteries and one o recommend. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
I previously read and enjoyed The Resemblance, which also features Marlitt Kaplan. In The Professor, we get to see the aftermath of Marlitt's choices and how she is handling everything. While she is trying to figure out her life, she is thrown into an investigation at the request of her mother.
While this was slow at times, I still enjoyed reading it. Crime fiction is one of my favorite genres so even though it's slow and a tad predictable, it makes for good reading. It's been snowing and raining here lately. Perfect backdrop for curling up with this one.
I have been meaning to read this one for a while. The weather has been gloomy lately and made for the perfect reading atmosphere. I picked this one up and finished in less than 4 days.
I really enjoyed the spooky, old town setting and Pet Sematary vibes. Perfect book to add to those Spooktober lists.
Coming June 2026! The Summer Fun Massacre is just that for those who enjoy slasher-type horror books .. fun! This gave all the feels of an 80s horror script in book form but without a lot of the gore. So this is also perfect for those who enjoy or want to try out horror books without descriptive gory bloodiness.
This also a small town setting which is my fave, plus good ole boy vibes. The way this story plays out though....nice. The ending is great and makes way for a follow up which I am looking forward to.
Put this on your radar and grab when it comes out in June. Absolutely perfect for Spooktober or anytime you want a quick and fun spooky-ish read.
Thank you, thank you Run For It, and Hatchette Book Group for the review copy.