Genevieve

Marcus Kkwelier does it again with The Caretaker.

This one starts off a little slow, but once it picks up I was all the way in. The world building and suspense were great, there’s this constant eerie feeling creeping in that makes you keep turning pages just to see what’s going to happen next.

We follow Macie Mullins, who’s down on her luck and just needs a job. She ends up taking a position as a caretaker, but from the beginning, nothing about this place feels normal. She’s given simple rules to follow, but of course, things start going left real quick. This job turns into a freaking nightmare.

And Macie, she got on my nerves so many times. Like girl please just do ONE thing right. But honestly, that frustration just added to the tension because I was so invested in what was happening to her.

Once the story really gets going, it becomes a page-turner. Creepy, tense, and super engaging.

And that ending! Honestly perfect. It wrapped things up so well and still had me sitting there like, wait a minute, what just happened!

I have really mixed feelings about Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea.

It started off strong, the first couple of chapters had my full attention, but then it slowed down a lot. For a good stretch (like 15 chapters), I found myself losing interest. I also felt like I could see where the story was going pretty early on, which took away some of the suspense for me.

I will say, it did pick back up toward the end, and that helped, but it was just an okay read for me.

This book wasn’t what I expected at all, I went in completely blind after my husband bought the book home, and I’m so glad I did. It ended up being extraordinary.

We follow Sam Hill, the boy with red eyes, as he shares his remarkable life story, including childhood bullying, the deep bonds with his close friends, and his relationship with his parents, especially his mom.

It’s definitely a slow burn, but I was completely engaged the entire time. I stayed fully invested in Sam’s journey and it was hard not to love him or feel everything he went through. His friends Mickie and Ernie, along with his parents, really added so much heart to the story.

I highly recommend experiencing this one through both the audiobook and the physical book, it really brings the story to life.

I went into this pretty open minded. I read Hidden Pictures, I didn’t really have any expectations going in.

But man, I honestly didn’t like a single character everyone just got on my nerves. The story kept me reading, but I kept waiting for it to really do something, and it just never fully got there for me.

I wasn’t a fan of the ending. It left me more annoyed than anything. It was just okay for me.

Orphan at the Lake was okay. I liked it, but it didn’t really do anything new or shocking for me.

We follow Hazel, a private investigator hired to find a missing girl. At first it seems like a typical runaway case, but the more she digs, the crazier things start to get.

I stayed interested enough to keep reading, but the ending was kind of underwhelming for me. It wasn’t as thrilling as I wanted, it was just, okay.

The kite runner was such a powerful read.

We follow Amir, who grows up privileged, and Hassan, who is nothing but loyal to him and is also the son of his family’s servant . Their friendship is complicated, and one moment really changes everything between them.

This book honestly had me in my feelings. It’s emotional, heartbreaking, and at times hard to read, but I couldn’t put it down. Watching how everything plays out and how Amir deals with it later in life, really stuck with me.

Khaled Hosseini really did his thing with this one and he also narrated the audiobook which made it even more personal.

I still feel like I’m not even saying enough, but just know, this one is worth the read.

This is my first read from Brandon Massey, and honestly, it was a solid popcorn thriller. Super fast paced, with short chapters, you can really fly through this one. Definitely a wild ride.

We follow Nate, who seems to have it all together, running his franchise and getting ready to marry his fiancée. But everything shifts when he randomly reconnects with his childhood best friend Marvin, and from there, things spiral real quick.

Marvin has a troubled past, and it’s clear he hasn’t let go of what happened between them as kids. The tension builds fast, and you just know something isn’t going to end well.

This was entertaining, dramatic, and easy to read. Not super deep, but it kept me hooked the whole time.

I really loved being back with these characters. Catching up with Harper, Jordan, and Robyn felt so nostalgic, especially since the story picks up right where everything left off. I could literally see and hear the characters like I was watching the movie all over again.

I listened to the audiobook, and I definitely recommend it, the multiple POVs added a lot to the experience. Getting inside Jordan’s head was probably my favorite part. Her perspective brought some much-needed depth and helped me understand her vulnerability and why she moves the way she does.

Harper and Robyn, on the other hand, felt pretty much the same to me. I was hoping for a little more growth from them, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

I’m gonna need another book ASAP because that ending and cliffhanger was shocking but expected. I would absolutely continue this series,I need to know where things go next.

I really enjoyed Bones at the Crossroads by LaDarrion Williams. The world is still sooo good and honestly one of my favorite parts of this series, and I love how it keeps expanding.

I think I liked the first book a little more, but this was still a great sequel.

We’re back with Malik as he starts freshman year at Caiman University, trying to have a normal college experience (even though we already know that’s not really possible for him). He’s dealing with a lot, grief, betrayal, and really coming into his powers, and you can feel that weight throughout the story.

And I really liked getting more time with the characters. Everybody just feels layered. The friendships, the tension, the side characters, it all adds to the story without feeling like too much.

I had a really good time with this. It builds on the first book in a meaningful way, I just wanted it to hit me a little harder emotionally like the first one did.

I really enjoyed this book, such an impactful read. James Baldwin words feel just as powerful and relevant today. I especially connected with the letter to his nephew, it was honest, heartfelt, and deeply moving. Short, but it definitely sticks with you.

I really enjoyed Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson. The podcast style thriller had my attention from the start. I loved how the short chapters and quick pacing kept me turning the pages, I was tuned in the whole time.

We follow Poe, the host of a true crime podcast where guests can anonymously confess their crimes. But one day, a stranger comes on her show claiming to be the man who murdered her mother years ago, and Poe immediately knows something isn’t right. Because she’s holding a secret, one no one else knows, that her mother’s killer is already dead.

From there, it turns into this tense cat-and-mouse game where you’re constantly trying to piece everything together and figure out what’s really going on.

Now, I will say the ending didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to, it wasn’t bad, just not as exciting as I expected. But, I still had a great time with this one.

Definitely looking forward to picking up more from this author!

I’ve always been a huge Brandy fan, so I already knew I was going to pick up this memoir. Getting a behind the scenes look at some of the biggest moments in her life, like the situation with Wanya, working with Whitney Houston, her time on Thea and Moesha, the tension with Monica, and even the hiatus she took, was really interesting.

What stood out to me the most was how vulnerable she was. She shared parts of her story that I honestly wasn’t expecting, and I appreciated how open and honest she allowed herself to be.

I read along while listening to the audiobook, and it honestly made the experience even better. Hearing her tell her own story just made everything feel more personal.

I really enjoyed it. It gave me a deeper understanding of her journey, not just as an artist but as a person.

This book started off really strong for me, it pulled me in right away and had me fully engaged from the beginning.

We follow a Mi’kmaq family whose lives are forever changed when their young daughter goes missing while they’re working in the berry fields, and we also follow another perspective that slowly connects back to that loss in a really impactful way.

I loved the writing, It’s thoughtful, and really centers on loss, family, and identity in a way that sticks with you.

I did enjoy this story. It’s emotional, meaningful, and one that will definitely stay on my mind.

Not a new favorite, but definitely worth the read.

We follow Rhythm and Channing, two people dealing with chemistry and complicated feelings, trying to figure out what they really want from each other.

This was an okay read for me. It was entertaining and kept me reading, but it’s not one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.

Some of the dialogue kind of took me out of the story a little. I’m not even gonna lie, the MMC was doing a bit much. The way he was trying to come off dominant just felt forced at times and a little cringey.

This is my second book by this author, and I can see her writing style, but this one just didn’t fully hit for me. Still a decent, easy read.

I love me some Kennedy Ryan, there’s something about a second chance romance that gets me every time, had my attention from the start.

We follow Takira and Naz, who first meet at 18 and instantly have that intense chemistry. Fast forward 12 years, and they cross paths again as grown adults, both successful, both having chased their dreams, but still searching for something real when it comes to love. But when it comes to their past, a second chance comes with some risks and consequences.

This is a shorter read, but it still gives you that emotional pull as we watch two people who are clearly meant to be find their way back to each other. Their journey felt natural, and I really enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded between them.

The banter, was so good. The chemistry, was next level. And yes, this one is spicy 🌶️ 🌶️

If you’ve read the Hoops series, you’ll see some familiar faces, and I thought that was a nice touch.

I really enjoyed this one. The storyline was beautifully done, and it’s the perfect quick read to pull you out of a slump or hold you over until The Score drops in May.

I’ve enjoyed my fair share of Abby Jimenez books, but this one didn’t hit the same for me.

We follow Kristen and Joshua, two people who get pulled into each other’s lives suddenly, and have to navigate feelings, timing, and everything that comes with opening up to someone new.

Kristen (the FMC) really started to get on my nerves because she kept assuming what Joshua (the MMC) wanted instead of just talking to him. A simple honest conversation could’ve solved so many of their issues, and that lack of communication made parts of the story frustrating for me.

That being said, it was still a good read, and I’m definitely interested enough to continue the series, it just wasn’t a favorite.

Every single book I’ve read by A.E. Valdez has been amazing, and North King: Unexpected Inevitability is no exception. At this point, she’s not even an auto buy author anymore, she’s an auto read immediately, drop everything, don’t talk to me author.

In this installment of the King brothers series, we follow North, the youngest brother, and Aspen. What starts off as a genuine friendship slowly evolves into something deeper, more intense, and ultimately, something that feels like fate. I honestly felt like I was watching two people become soulmates in real time.

One thing I absolutely love about her writing is how she captures real life situations and mature, grown love. The relationships feel authentic, layered, and emotionally grounded, which makes the romance hit even harder.

I always get so excited when characters from previous books make special appearances. It adds such a rich sense of connection to the entire series.

Now listen, this is definitely a spicy read, but it’s balanced with heart, depth, and undeniable chemistry.

A.E. Valdez did it again. No notes. Just perfection.

Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson is a powerful courtroom drama that follows Judge Mary Stone, a young 13 year old girl named Nova, and Dr. Bria Gaines as they become entangled in a trial that impacts each of their lives in deeply different ways. As the case unfolds, the story tackles heavy, real world issues while exploring justice, morality, and the personal weight of the courtroom.

Judge Mary Stone,I ABSOLUTELY LOVED her. She’s a no nonsense judge who doesn’t take any mess, and I was here for every moment of it. The District Attorney and Nova’s mom, they had me irritated and pissed me off the entire time. And Nova, my heart broke for her. She’s only 13 and goes through so much, it was hard not to feel everything right along with her.

I listened to this on audio (thank you NetGalley & Hachette Audio for the ARC), and let me just say, Viola Davis absolutely delivered with this narration. Her voice is so powerful and commanding, she brought every character to life. It honestly felt like I was watching a movie instead of listening to a book.

The writing was strong, the pacing kept me engaged, and it truly was a page turner from start to finish.

Please check your triggers before reading, this book covers heavy topics like abortion, racism, rape, and death.

This exceeded my expectations. It was emotional, frustrating, powerful, and unforgettable.

This book is absolutely wild! It follows Jason, a man who wakes up with no memory and no idea where he is, as he tries to get to a meeting he’s convinced he’s supposed to attend.

My husband and I ended up reading this together, well, technically I started it because he let me listen to the first two minutes of the audiobook, and I was instantly hooked.

I loved all the chaos and twists along the way, and the ending completely blew my mind. I honestly thought I was getting inside the mind of someone with schizophrenia… but nope, David had me totally shocked.

I’m giving this a solid 4⭐️, and can we talk about the cover? Gorgeous in a dark, horror kind of way!

Imagine meeting the person of your dreams at a college party. She’s drunk, so you make sure she gets home safe, tuck her into bed, and leave a note that says “Call me.”

But she never gets the note… and instead falls in love with and marries your best friend.

Now imagine spending the next 12 years watching her love someone else.

This is a multi POV story that follows Sloan and Dominic as they navigate grief, complicated feelings, and healing. Sloan is still trying to figure out life four years after losing her husband, Eric, while Dominic, Eric’s best friend, has been holding onto feelings he kept buried for years.

This one is definitely spicy, and while I’m not usually a huge spice reader, I still really enjoyed it because the story and emotional tension kept me invested.

This was my first J. L. Seegars read, and it definitely made me want to check out the rest of this series, it’s connected but each book can be read as a stand alone.

This quick 78 page novella follows River, a single mom who rarely gets time for herself, and Mike, a billionaire with a secret passion for BDSM. They meet online, and connect right away, and before she knows it, she’s on an exclusive 72 hour getaway filled with luxury, adventure, and, a lot of steamy moments.

I’m not usually into spicy reads, and this one definitely was spicy, but it was handled tastefully enough that it didn’t bother me. My only minor annoyance was the repeated use of the word “daddy,” which felt a bit much at times. Still, the story was engaging, fun, and a quick escape. I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to those looking for a short, steamy read.

I went into this book completely blind since it was my book club’s March pick, and honestly, I’m still not sure if that helped or hurt my experience.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. We follow Cora Zeng and her two friends as they try to navigate life in America during COVID, a time when Asian communities were being blamed and targeted. The book really highlights the ignorance, racism, and outright cruelty people can face just for existing. Sadly, history shows that different minority groups go through phases where they’re unfairly targeted, and this story doesn’t shy away from that reality.

I can see why this falls into the horror genre, but it just wasn’t creepy enough for me. I was expecting something a little more intense or unsettling. The horror elements didn’t quite hit the way I wanted, which is why this wasn’t a full 5 star read for me.

That said, the book does an excellent job showing the emotional toll of racism and how exhausting it can be to constantly deal with ignorance and hatred. Some of the situations felt painfully real, and that aspect of the story was probably the most impactful.

My favorite part of the book was the author’s note. It added a lot of context and made the message behind the story even more meaningful.

This was a good read for me, maybe not the horror experience I wanted, but still a story that highlights real issues and conversations that are important to have.

This was my first Christian romance thriller, and I really enjoyed it!

We follow Grace, who’s recently saved and joins New Beginnings Church. While at church, she’s drawn to two men, James, who seems like the perfect Christian, and Mike, who looks like he’s from the streets.

Grace is trying to grow closer to God, but she quickly gets caught up in messy, chaotic, and dangerous situations. She has to navigate lies, buried secrets, and figure out who is truly good and who is evil.

Grace was a frustrating character at times, and I found myself getting upset with most of her choices. This was a quick, page turning read that kept my attention. The audiobook, narrated by J. R. Mason, was excellent, and I loved the bloopers at the end.

This story was beautifully done, with a shockingly twisted plot and a satisfying ending that wrapped everything up perfectly.

Reading about Kamala Harris’s campaign journey was really eye opening. My husband actually recommended this one to me, and he always gives the best, most thoughtful reviews, so I knew it was worth reading.

I always enjoy a true story that gives a behind the scenes look at what was actually happening, and this one definitely did that. She had to deal with a lot in a short amount of time, and it was interesting to read everything from her perspective.

One thing that surprised me was learning that she and Joe Biden didn’t always seem to be completely on the same page. That added a layer to the story I hadn’t really thought about before.

I also liked the format of the book. Each chapter covers a single day on the campaign trail, which made it feel fast paced and easy to read.

Of course, we all know how it ends, so there’s no real surprise there. But it was still fascinating to get a closer look at such a major moment in U.S. politics. It also made me think about how different things might have been if more people were willing to hear perspectives outside their own.

We’re introduced to Ivy Hill, who’s still messed up from a tragedy that shattered her happy family and childhood. Shes 26 years old now, and struggling through life until she finally learns the name of the woman she believes ruin her life, Lola Maxwell.

Lola is rich, married, accomplished, and living what looks like the perfect life. Ivy slowly makes her way into Lola’s life, befriends her, and begins quietly turning everyone against her and ruin her from the inside out.

This wasn’t my favorite by Shanora Williams, but it definitely held my attention, enough for me to see it through to the end. The premise was decent, and I needed to see how it would all play out. It was just okay for me, entertaining, but not one of her best to me.