Book Review: What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? by Kate Crane

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

If you love books like I’ll Be Gone in the Dark or memoirs that blend true crime with deeply personal storytelling, you need to pick this one up.

In 1987, twelve-year-old Kate Crane’s father disappeared on his way home from work and never came back. While police largely believed he had simply walked away, Kate spent years haunted by the feeling that something much darker had happened. Decades later, now a journalist herself, she reopens the investigation into her father’s disappearance and returns to Baltimore determined to uncover the truth.

But what makes this book so compelling isn’t just the mystery. It’s the emotional weight of growing up in the aftermath of unanswered questions.

This book is part memoir, part true crime, and part psychological suspense, but more than anything it’s about grief, family trauma, and what happens to the people left behind after the headlines fade away. We spend so much time consuming true crime stories that are neatly wrapped up by the end, but this one feels painfully real. Messy. Frustrating. Emotional. Human.

I felt so deeply for Kate throughout this entire journey. Not only because of what she experienced as a child, but because of what it must have taken to reopen those wounds as an adult and dig through decades of conflicting stories, failed investigations, and painful memories. You can feel how much love she has for her father on every page.

The writing itself is beautifully done. Atmospheric, immersive, and incredibly vulnerable without ever feeling exploitative. I absolutely flew through this book because I was rooting for Kate the entire time.

And while the answers she uncovers may not provide the kind of clean resolution readers are used to in crime fiction, I actually appreciated that honesty. Real life rarely gives us perfect endings. What Kate does find is understanding, connection, and the reassurance that she truly did everything she could to uncover the truth about her father.

A powerful and heartbreaking read with a pretty unforgettable twist at the end!

Thank you so much to the author, Kate Crane, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press for the ARC copy of this book. 

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane is out now! You can grab your copy here.

Book Review: Sisters Before Misters by Amelia Diane Coombs

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

The Finch sisters are back in the second installment of this delightfully chaotic series, Sisters Before Misters.

Maeve has officially had enough murder and mayhem to last a lifetime, so when a call from Eliana pulls the sisters right back into another crime scene, she is less than thrilled. She’s also horrified that somehow poor Leo gets dragged back into the chaos too.

Eliana’s estranged husband Chad has gone missing, and the state of his condo points toward a very messy ending. Unfortunately for Eliana, the evidence also seems to point directly at her. Honestly? Even Maeve and Aunt Lindy aren’t entirely convinced she didn’t do it considering Chad has been dragging out their divorce for ages.

But the deeper Remi digs into Chad’s disappearance, the more tangled everything becomes. One of my favorite parts of this series continues to be Remi’s anxious overthinking brain trying to piece together the mystery in real time. It feels relatable, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt all at once.
I also really love that the sisters are still figuring each other out. Their relationship continues to evolve naturally and watching them slowly learn how to trust and support one another remains the heart of the series for me.

And that ending twist? Absolutely delightful.

This series continues to balance humor, family chaos, mystery, and heart so well. If you enjoy series like Finlay Donovan, Stephanie Plum, Sunshine Vickram, or generally love humorous mysteries with quirky characters and messy family dynamics, you’ll absolutely want to pick this one up.
While this could technically be read as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend starting with book one first so you can fully appreciate the sister dynamics and character growth throughout the series.

I was, however, highly disappointed that there were no magic mushrooms in this book this time around.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

And make sure you check out the book that started it all, Drop Dead Sisters.

Book Review: This Weekend Doesn’t End Well For Anyone by Catherine Mack

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

Bestselling novelist Eleanor Dash is expecting a lot of things when she agrees to attend a murder mystery writers conference in the Bahamas. What she isn’t expecting is a dead body in her hotel room.

But honestly… at this point, she probably should.

Once again, what seems like a coincidence quickly starts to feel like something more intentional. Is someone actually targeting Eleanor? Or could it be someone close to her? Connor, Oliver, Harper—and yes, even stalker Karen—are all back in the mix, which makes the suspect pool both familiar and chaotic.

We also get a return of several characters from earlier books, with ongoing storylines tied to past events. This one really builds on the previous books, so I wouldn’t recommend reading it as a standalone. You’ll get a lot more out of it if you’ve read the first two.

Without giving too much away, things escalate quickly. There’s a storm warning, the island is evacuated, and our group decides to stay behind after signing away any liability. So now we have a full-on closed-circle mystery, but instead of a single house or mansion, it’s an entire island.

And yes… the bodies do start piling up.

As the group gets smaller, the tension ramps up, and the suspect list becomes more focused. There’s also someone from a previous book who returns with unfinished business, which adds another layer to the mystery and raises the stakes.

I listened to this one on audio and would absolutely recommend that format. The narration works especially well with the author’s style, particularly with the footnotes and moments that break the fourth wall. That kind of storytelling can feel forced if it’s not done well, but here it’s clever and intentional.

This is another twisty, fun installment in the series. It definitely feels like a nod to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, which is one of my favorites. You can really see that influence in the isolated setting and the steadily shrinking cast.

Overall, I love this series for its mix of humor, chaos, and mystery. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers a satisfying twist at the end. This book also ties back nicely to earlier storylines and expands the world in a meaningful way.

If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan series or other lighter, character-driven mysteries, this is definitely worth picking up.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Check out the other titles in The Vacation Mysteries Series:

Book One: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

Book Two: No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

Thank you to Catherine Mack, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ALC & ARC copy of this book. 

Book Review: Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coons

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

What do you get when you throw together three sisters who can barely tolerate each other, parents who are perpetually stoned and desperately trying to force family bonding, a handful of kooky side characters, and a dead body?

Pure chaos.

Oh, and add in a hunky park ranger and a nosy detective, and you’ve got Drop Dead Sisters.

What really made this work for me was the family dynamic. I found pieces of myself in all three sisters in different ways: Remy’s people-pleasing tendencies, Eliana’s need to force everything into “fine,” and Maeve’s inability to return a text message to save her life.

I loved watching the sisters slowly reconnect and grow together throughout the story, especially seeing Remy learn to love her family for exactly who they are instead of who she wishes they’d be.

This was funny, heartfelt, weird in the best way, and such an entertaining read. I absolutely cannot wait to dive into book two. If you love Finley Donovan, Stephanie Plum or Riley Thorn, you’ll love the Finch Sisters.

Also… as a Phan, I loved the subtle Phish reference. I won’t spoil it, but definitely keep your eyes peeled 👀

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Book Review: A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas Didomizio

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

OMG. This book! Love, love, love.

Not only is it set in an area that is literally in my back yard, (I went to Lake George almost every summer growing up and still go as an adult), but my current city even gets a shout out! A Murder Most Camp has all the makings of a classic whodunit. It’s packed with campy clichés, millennial pop culture references, and just the right amount of sass and snark. The Clueless references are great.

Mikey Hartford IV is a spoiled playboy who loves yachts, good food, and a good time. When he makes one too many reckless decisions—this time trying to buy his best friend Jamie’s affection, his father finally steps in and changes the terms of his trust. Now, in order to receive his full inheritance, Mikey has to prove he can actually do something good for the world.

Enter his step-grandmother Sierra, who is a few years younger than him, (married to his 80-year-old grandfather) and tasked with turning Mikey into a decent human. Her solution? Send him to Camp Lore, her former summer camp in upstate New York, where he’ll work as the oldest and least-qualified staff member alongside his twelve-year-old aunt, Annabelle.

And let’s just say… Mikey is wildly unprepared.

The camp itself is clearly struggling, the facilities are double accommodations (cue Mikey’s oh the horror face!), and instead of embracing summer camp activities, the kids assigned to Mikey’s “special activities committee” have zero interest in traditional camp fun. Instead, they become obsessed with a local legend tied to an abandoned cabin on the property and decide they’re going to solve a possible murder. Mikey convinces them to turn their summer project into a documentary about the mysterious disappearance, all while dreaming of his own fame surely to come from a true crime documentary.

From there, things spiral quickly, and nothing is quite what it seems.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you love a twisty mystery with an ending that completely sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely for you! I did not see it coming until it basically smacked me in the face.

There’s also a touch of romance, with the very hunky lifeguard Jackson, who is surprisingly into Mikey… despite Mikey doing everything in his power to come across as a complete jerk. Oh, any maybe he’s a murderer?

The characters really shine here. Even the side characters, like Raymond and Mikey’s dad, had me laughing. The writing is sharp, quick, and incredibly engaging. And I especially loved Mikey’s character arc. He doesn’t completely change who he is, but he grows in a way that feels realistic. Still very much himself, just… slightly less of a disaster.

One of my favorite dynamics was between Mikey and Annabelle. He thinks everyone else is helping her come out of her shell, but it’s really him who starts that process. There’s a really sweet moment where he offers to pretend he’s her uncle to make her feel more comfortable about their unconventional family situation, and it just worked so well.

All in all, this was an absolute delight. I binge-read it and could not put it down. If you’re a fan of Finlay Donovan, The Guncle or Stephanie Plum, you’ll love this book. This is my first book by the author but won’t be my last.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here!

Thank you to Nicolas Didomizio, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. As always, I encourage you to read this for yourself and form your own opinion.

🎧 Audio Book Review: Thinky Thoughts by Gwenna Laithland

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“You have children of your own and who the hell let you take this thing home? You can’t remember to eat lunch at a reasonable time and now you’re responsible for a whole fucking person? This feels like a terrible idea.”

And that quote basically sets the tone for the entire book.

If you’re at all familiar with Gwenna Laithland, whether from following her online as Momma Cusses or from her first book then you already know her storytelling style. It’s honest, chaotic, hilarious, and deeply relatable… and it absolutely delivers here.

As you all know, I’m a sucker for author-narrated audiobooks, and in this case, I truly can’t imagine anyone else telling these stories. Gwenna narrating her own work is exactly what makes this hit the way it does. Anyone else’s voice wouldn’t feel right. She brings the humor, the emotion, and the timing in a way that only she can.

This book is a collection of personal stories, random thoughts, and bits of advice—basically a full compilation of “thinky thoughts.” And I found myself identifying with so much of it. Like her first book, this one somehow manages to make you feel both called out and completely seen at the same time.

There were so many moments where I thought, yes, this is exactly how my brain works.

One that really stood out to me was her take on grocery store chaos. I vividly remember when my ShopRite completely reorganized everything (back when I actually went in person instead of delivery), and the panic I felt was very real. It was oddly comforting to see that I’m not the only one who has had a full meltdown over something like that.

Books like this are such a good reminder that on the days when you feel like you’re failing—whether as a mom, an employee, a partner, or just a human—you’re really just… being human. We’re all doing the best we can, even when it doesn’t feel like enough.

If you love authors like Jenny Lawson, or if you already follow Gwenna online and haven’t picked this up yet, I would absolutely recommend it. And I highly suggest the audiobook. It’s 100% the way to experience this one.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here!

Thank you to Gwenna Laithland, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. As always, I encourage you to read this for yourself and form your own opinion.

Book Review: Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play, by Keza MacDonald.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links

I absolutely loved this book.

As an elder millennial who grew up on Super Mario Bros. 3 and spent countless hours on my Super Nintendo (even if my mom wouldn’t let me play the “grown-up” games like Mortal Kombat), this felt like such a nostalgic and insightful read.

I will say, some parts felt a bit repetitive for me personally, but that’s only because I’ve read similar books like Good Game, No Rematch by Mike Drucker and Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America by Jeff Ryan. If you’re newer to Nintendo history, I don’t think that would stand out at all or get in the way of you enjoying.

What really made this one shine for me was the perspective. I loved getting a female voice in a space that is often very male-dominated, and I also really appreciated the “across the pond” viewpoint. Seeing Nintendo’s evolution and cultural impact through a different lens added something fresh, even to stories I was already familiar with.

I also really enjoyed how much depth MacDonald gives not just to the games themselves, but to the characters. As a Zelda fan, I especially loved that element. It felt like she truly understands the emotional connection players have to these worlds and the characters in them.

Another thing I appreciated is that this book goes further into Nintendo’s more recent history than some others. Jeff Ryan’s book is almost a decade old at this point, so it was nice to have something that extends the timeline and brings things a bit more current.

Overall, this was an engaging and fun read that really felt like a trip down memory lane. It balances behind-the-scenes insight with nostalgia in a way that’s both informative and approachable.

If you grew up with Nintendo, this is such a great read. And if you’re interested in gaming history, it’s an enjoyable and well-rounded look at one of the most influential companies in entertainment.

On sale now, you can get your copy here.

Thank you to the author Keza MacDonald , the publisher Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book!

P.S.- if you’re an audiobook girlie like me, this one is author narrated and excellent!!

As always, I encourage you to read this one for yourself and formulate your own opinion.

Audio Book Review: Mistakes Were Made by Lucy Score

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

This is the second book in the Story Lake series, and we’re back in the absolute chaos that is Story Lake, along with its ongoing rivalry with the nearby town of Dominion. If you loved the setting in the first book, it only gets better here. The town feels even more alive, more involved, and honestly more unhinged in the best possible way.

If you haven’t read the first book, you’ll get through this one, but you really should check out Story of My Life before proceeding. You’ll thank me, I promise. You can also check out my review.

This book centers around Zoey, Hazel’s best friend and agent. Both Zoey and Hazel are riding high on the success of Hazel’s last book, and Story Lake is fully leaning into the spotlight. As always with Lucy Score, the town itself feels like a character. Everyone knows everyone, everyone has an opinion, and no one minds their own business. Having grown up in a small town, I can confirm… this is painfully accurate.

We also get another Bishop brother thrown into the mix with Gage, the lovable and affable brother who somehow manages to be both a contractor and an attorney. He has that classic “good guy” energy, but there’s more depth to him than you initially expect, especially as the story unfolds.

Lucy Score once again delivers everything I love about her books: small town charm, quirky and lovable older residents, slightly unhinged townspeople, and some truly questionable pets. The raccoon situation alone is enough to make you question everything, and I completely understand why Zoey wants absolutely no part of that chaos. The animals always have just as much personality as the humans, and they somehow end up adding to the madness in the best way.

This story goes deeper emotionally than I expected. Gage’s character is really put to the test when his sister asks him to do the unthinkable. She has formed a relationship with the woman responsible for the accident that caused her spinal injury and killed her husband, and now she wants Gage to defend her in court. It’s messy, complicated, and honestly such an interesting moral conflict. Gage doesn’t know if he can separate his emotions from the situation, but his loyalty to his sister pushes him forward. Watching him wrestle with that decision added a lot of depth to his character, and Zoey plays a huge role in grounding him and giving him the strength to face it.

Now let’s talk about Zoey, because she really shines in this book. As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I absolutely loved seeing that representation here. It felt real in a way that you don’t always see in fiction. Her diagnosis comes from an elderly retired psychiatrist who basically yells at her, which was both hilarious and oddly perfect. I really connected with how her brain processed everything, especially once she started medication. That feeling of realizing there isn’t anything “wrong” with you, your brain just works differently, was handled in such a validating and honest way.

The romance is definitely a slow burn, but it works. The tension builds gradually, and when things finally start to shift, it feels earned. Lucy Score always does a great job balancing humor with emotional depth, and this one is no exception. You get the banter, the chemistry, and the steam, but also real character growth underneath it all.

I listened to this on audio again, and it absolutely elevated the experience. Sebastian York could read my grocery list and I would still be hooked. His voice is just unfair. Lila Winters is equally incredible, and together they brought Zoey and Gage to life in such a natural, engaging way.

This is another red hot read here. It takes a little time to get there, but the payoff is worth it. Between the humor, the heart, the town dynamics, and the character growth, this was such a satisfying continuation of the series.

Another plus, this book is available on KU!! On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Audio Book Review: Story of My Life by Lucy Score

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

The two things that made me pick up this book.
1.) Lucy Score wrote it so, automatically add to cart.
2.) It’s described as Gilmore Girls meets Schitts Creek. I LOVED Gilmore Girls when I was younger (I have a different take as an adult, but that’s another story…) so I knew this would be good. And everyone says Schitts Creek is hysterical so…If you loved the Knockemout or Blue Moon series, this is very much on brand for her. Small town romance, chaotic townies, sharp humor, and just the right amount of steam.


Hazel is basically running straight into a midlife crisis and somehow ends up in Story Lake after getting tricked into buying a house that has been… “upgraded” by AI (and by upgraded, I mean absolutely not what she thought she was getting). She’s hoping the move will spark inspiration for her next book, but unfortunately her absolute shit weasel of an ex-husband seems to have stolen all of her creative juju.


Story Lake itself completely steals the show. This is one of those small towns that feels like a character in its own right. It’s full of opinions, drama, gossip, and people who absolutely have nothing better to do than involve themselves in everyone else’s business. The locals are colorful, over-the-top, and hysterical in the best way. As someone who grew up in a small town, I can confidently say… yes, all of this nonsense absolutely happens.


And then there’s the animals. Lucy Score always delivers here, and Goose the eagle might be my favorite “pet” yet. The animals have just as much personality as the humans, and somehow they always end up being part of the chaos.


I listened to this on audio, and I was so excited to see Sebastian York and Lila Winters back for this series. They are two of my absolute favorite narrators, and they completely brought the story to life. Their delivery made the banter sharper, the tension stronger, and the emotional moments hit even harder.
The banter is fun, witty, and full of tension, and while I’d call this kind of enemies-to-lovers-ish, it’s really more of that delicious, slow-burn tension Lucy does so well. Don’t be fooled by the pretty cover, this is another red hot read.


Her best friend Zoey was another standout for me. She’s loveable, fierce, and exactly the kind of friend you want in your corner! She’s equal parts supportive and chaotic. You can already tell she’s being set up for her own story, and I will absolutely be here for it.
This was such a fun read. I was literally laughing out loud at points (which is always awkward when other people are around). If you’re looking for a small town romance with humor, heart, and heat, this is a must-read.

Another plus, this book is available on KU!! On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Audio Book Review: Be Your Own Bestie by Misha Brown

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

Like many people who picked up Be Your Own Bestie, I first discovered Misha Brown through his videos online. What immediately stood out to me was his ability to be completely himself while confidently standing up to bullies. That kind of authenticity takes courage, especially for those of us who tend to be people pleasers.

As someone who struggles with worrying about whether others are upset with me, a lot of what Misha talks about resonated deeply. It took me a long time to realize that other people’s reactions are not always my responsibility, and hearing that message reinforced in such an encouraging way felt both validating and empowering.

Part memoir, part self-help, and full of Misha’s signature sass, humor, and heartfelt honesty, it was an easy and quick read. Throughout the book he expands on many of the stories and moments that made his social media videos so popular, sharing the experiences and lessons behind them.

I listened to the audiobook version, which Misha narrates himself, and I’m so glad I did. There’s something special about hearing an author tell their own story, and his energy and personality come through beautifully. I especially loved the way he talks about his relationship with his mom. As someone who also calls their mom when things go right, wrong or somewhere in between,I completely related.

At its heart, this book is a reminder to do the work. To put in the effort to heal, grow, and learn to treat yourself with the same kindness you give everyone else.

Be Your Own Bestie is a ray of sunshine filled with positivity, encouragement, and plenty of laughs. If you’re on a journey of self-discovery or looking for a motivating and uplifting self-improvement read, this is absolutely one to add to your list, even if you’re discovering Misha for the first time

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.