Category: Fiction

Book Review: See How They Hide By Allison Brennan

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️/5

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While I do my best to make sure my reviews are spoiler-free, I may inadvertently reveal information that can help you connect plot points. So, here’s my TL;DR spoiler-free review: the newest book in Allison Brennan’s Quinn and Costa series delivers another thrilling police procedural as Kara Quinn, Matt Costa, and the MRT investigate a series of connected murders tied to a secretive cult called Havenwood. The book features Brennan’s signature twists, compelling characters, a chilling villain and a story you can get lost in. Fans of the series won’t be disappointed. But do yourself a huge favor and go read the first 5 books before you read this one. You don’t have to but it will make everything better, I promise. There’s a list at the bottom of the post. Of your can check out my review of book 5, The Missing Witness.

See How They Hide is the sixth book in the Quinn and Costa series, focusing on Kara Quinn, Matt Costa, and the Mobile Response Team (MRT).
OMG OMG I’ve been waiting for this book! My girl Kara Quinn is back! I fell in love with this series, mainly because of the incredible characters Allison has once again brought to life and I’ve been anxiously awaiting this book!.

The story begins with two murders occurring at opposite ends of the country. As bodies start piling up, there seems to be nothing connecting the victims—except that they were all killed in the same manner and found with red poppies. Before long, the team is fully immersed in investigating a previously unknown cult called Havenwood. At the heart of the mystery is Riley, a former cult member who escaped after being an unwilling participant in its inner circle.

Kara is in Oregon while Matt investigates in Virginia, meaning they don’t spend as much time together as I’d like. That said, there’s plenty of Ryder and Dean in this book, which more than compensates. AND Catherine finally stops being an insufferable PITA—but only by the end, after annoying Kara at least twice. Despite her attitude, Catherine proves useful in the investigation, though I still despise how she speaks to Kara.

Kara and Matt’s growth throughout this book was so satisfying, and Riley plays a huge role in that. The picture she draws of them makes Kara realize that people see her in ways she never expected. Riley was also an exceptional secondary character, and I absolutely loved her conclusion in the story.

As always, I’d read anything Allison Brennan writes—even her grocery list—but See How They Hide delivers all the hallmarks of a classic AB novel: a tight, twist-filled police procedural, deeply compelling characters, and a villain who is as cruel as they come.

Thank you so much to the author, Allison Brennan, Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC copy of this book. The Missing Witness is out now! You can grab your copy here.

Other title in the Quinn & Costa Series:

Book Review: The Verifiers by Jane Pek

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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I just finished The Verifiers by Jan Pek and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book has a quirky charm, which fits perfectly with its equally quirky main character, Claudia, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City. Claudia has recently left a proofreading job (courtesy of her successful brother) to work at a company that verifies the authenticity of online dating profiles.

Claudia’s very first client sets the stage for a mystery that unravels with unexpected twists and turns. Not everything is as it seems. I particularly enjoyed the clever puns Pek uses for naming the dating sites and the way the story feels modern and relevant, diving into the ongoing societal debates about technology and its moral implications.

One of my favorite aspects of Claudia’s character is that she’s a bona fide bookworm and mystery enthusiast. The book is peppered with delightful references to Jane Austen and Inspector Yuan (who might be a real figure from Chinese television or culture—or simply a figment of the author’s imagination I’m unsure and this will require more research on my part). Either way, he feels like the Chinese version of Sherlock Holmes, and I’d love to read some of his stories!

Beyond the mystery, the book also explores complex family dynamics, adding another layer of depth. Claudia is caught between two uber-successful siblings, and while she appears to be her mother’s favorite, their mother is relentlessly critical of all of them. This dynamic doesn’t just illuminate Claudia’s internal struggles but resonates with the universal complexities found in all families. Pek’s portrayal of these relationships is thoughtful and relatable, enriching the story as much as the central mystery itself.

Overall, I loved this book, especially the ending, which teases the possibility of Claudia not only finding a love interest but also carving her own unique role within the Verifiers. Highly recommended!

The Verifiers is out now and you can grab your copy here.

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Picture this: you’re on a book tour through Italy, soaking in the charm of six picturesque cities, indulging in gelato and Aperol spritz, and relishing the company of fellow authors and die-hard fans. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for author Eleanor Wilde, it’s more of a high-stakes nightmare with literary rivals, a con man ex, and, oh yes, death. 

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack takes readers on a wildly fun ride, and it’s anything but your typical cozy mystery. With its snarky, witty protagonist, inside jokes about the publishing world, and the thrill of a whodunit, this novel makes for a laugh-out-loud read that fans of twisty mysteries and meta-humor will absolutely devour.

The story kicks off with Eleanor Wilde’s ambitious agenda: complete her latest novel (the tenth in her Vacation Mysteries series), embark on a whirlwind book tour across Italy, and kill off her main character, Connor Smith. Not much to ask, right? Except that Eleanor’s inspiration for Connor, suspects someone is genuinely out to kill him. And if that wasn’t enough, a body soon turns up in their traveling literary group, setting off a domino effect of secrets, suspicions, and betrayals. 

Eleanor must balance her book deadlines with real-life detective work, sorting through a colorful cast of authors, agents, and obsessive fans. With each Italian city comes a new twist, and Eleanor’s to-do list grows longer: solve the murder, dodge her ex Oliver (who shows up at the worst possible moments), keep her literary rivals at bay, and figure out who’s really behind the mayhem. 

This novel brilliantly breaks the fourth wall, letting Eleanor not only narrate her story but also chat directly with readers (footnotes and all)! It’s like having a lively conversation with a friend who isn’t afraid to let you in on the messy, hilarious parts of her job as a writer.  Her cheeky self-awareness, paired with razor-sharp wit, makes for a refreshingly original tone. 

If you’re a fan of snappy dialogue and unconventional characters, Eleanor’s one to remember. She’s a little chaotic, brutally honest, and endlessly opinionated, which adds a fun edge to the story. Her dynamic with her ex Oliver adds extra spice, and her deep reliance on her younger sister Harper (who, though a little overshadowed, plays the grounded assistant to Eleanor’s whirlwind) rounds out the cast in a quirky way.

While the book’s ensemble of suspects can get a bit overwhelming, each one brings something fresh to the story, and even the more aggravating personalities contribute to the chaotic fun. Though it’s hard to get attached to any of them (perhaps intentionally), this motley crew of characters, annoying quirks and all—adds to the atmosphere. 

The audiobook narration by Elizabeth Evans deserves special praise. Evans captures Eleanor’s voice to perfection, bringing out her snark, frustration, and subtle vulnerability in a way that enhances the reading experience. If you’re an audiobook fan, this is one to add to your list.

So grab a gelato, settle in, and prepare to laugh, gasp, and cheer as Eleanor brings the mystery to life—one Italian city at a time. On sale now, you can grab your copy here. 

Thank you to the author, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. 

This Girl’s A Killer by Emma C. Wells

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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I’ve had the pleasure of reading a lot of good books this year. So far, I’ve been surprised and impressed more often than not, and this last read was no exception.

When I received an invitation from Poisoned Pen Press to read This Girl’s a Killer, I was a little apprehensive, as I don’t usually read horror or “scary” books. But I loved Finlay Donovan, so I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did because I was absolutely blown away. This is why I love new authors; you never know what you’re going to find.

Cordelia Black isn’t crazy. She’s organized. She’s punctual. She has a killer wardrobe. She loves her best friend and goddaughter. She isn’t crazy. She’s just… Karma.

Everything is going just fine until it isn’t. Watching Cordelia’s perfect world fall apart actually gave me anxiety while making me laugh. It was an interesting paradox. This book is dark, twisty, and funny.

I cannot wait to see what Emma Wells comes up with next.

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley and the publisher Poisoned Pen Press for giving me this opportunity to read an ARC copy.

This Girl’s a Killer is out now and you can grab your copy here.

Book Review: One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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If you’re ready for some great Christmas vibes and family drama, look no further than One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery. Normally, this time of year, I’m all about cozy mysteries, witchy romances, and everything fall-themed. However, I love Susan Mallery’s books, and I needed a break from my usual reads, so I figured it was the perfect time to get into the Christmas spirit🎄plus I’m all about the family drama.  

Julie is a badass mom and business owner who’s looking forward to a quiet Christmas at her family’s cabin—aka mansion in the woods—with her younger boyfriend, Heath. Her kids all have their own plans, and his ex-wife has the kids for the holiday. But as we know, life doesn’t always go as planned. The cabin ends up packed with more people, secrets, and drama than anyone could’ve imagined.

I saw so much of myself in Julie that it was hard not to root for her. She cares deeply about everyone else and making them happy. It’s so evident in her detailed plans to ensure everyone has the most amazing Christmas ever. And while Julie might seem like the perfect mom and girlfriend, we also get to see her unravel and expose all her flaws as the story unfolds.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here!

Thank you to the author Susan Mallery, the publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Book Review: The Temporary Wife by Catharina Maura

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

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Oh hey bookworms, are you back and ready for more of the craziness that is the Windsor Family? Because our favorite family is back with oh so much more drama. You thought marrying your fiance’s little sister was bad? Well, our friend Luca here is about to marry his secretary!

Luca runs the financial end of Windsor Enterprises and Val is his girl Friday, his secretary that was assigned to him by his grandma 8 years ago. Things get turned on end when Grandma Anne announces that it’s Luca’s turn to get married to someone who is completely wrong for him.

If you haven’t yet picked up the first book The Wrong Bride, I highly recommend doing so before diving into this one. You can read my review here. While each book in the series can stand alone, the story lines and character arcs make much more sense when read in order. Plus, if you’ve read any of the author’s other series, you’ll enjoy spotting the familiar faces that make cameos throughout the books.

The Temporary Wife picks up shortly after the events of the first book, with a bit of overlap to set the stage. Luca has had his secretary, Valentina, by his side for eight years, and their bond has only grown stronger over time. However, with his older brother Ares now married Luca’s own situation becomes more complicated. The Windsors’ formidable matriarch, Grandma Anne, traditionally arranges all the family marriages. After allowing Ares to get engaged for love and dealing with the consequences, she’s determined to take control again. Even though Luca and Valentina are clearly perfect for each other, Grandma Anne has already chosen someone else for him. The story unfolds as Luca and Valentina attempt to navigate the challenges of going against Grandma Anne’s iron will. Specifically by getting married. Luca appears to believe that if he’s already married Grandma Anne can’t marry him off to someone else.

I won’t give away too much because this story is best experienced without spoilers. But trust me when I say it’s absolutely phenomenal. The characters, especially Valentina, are compelling, and the chemistry between her and Luca is electric. Valentina’s strength and resilience make her a standout character, and the way the author brings their relationship to life is truly exceptional.

The author’s writing shines throughout the series, creating a world of powerful men—billionaires who run Windsor Enterprises, a conglomerate with vast interests across media, real estate, and tech development. Then there are the women who bring them to their knees. With five brothers and one sister, the series promises six books, each focusing on a different sibling. Luca and Valentina’s story was the one I was most eager to read because their dynamic just feels so right. We caught glimpses of them in The Wrong Bride, and it’s clear that Grandma Anne knew exactly what she was doing when she placed Valentina in Luca’s orbit eight years ago, despite her lack of experience and status as a college dropout. As the story develops, we discover that Valentina’s ties to the Windsors go far deeper than just her position as Luca’s secretary.

As always, read it for yourself and tell me what you think!

RED HOT READ ALERT: this book is sexy sexy. Don’t be fooled by the pretty cover this book is a scorcher.

BONUS: All the books are in Kindle Unlimited!

One sale now, you can grab your copy here.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of The Windsor Series, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Stay tuned for reviews!

Book One: The Wrong Bride: Ares and Raven’s Story

Book Three: The Unwanted Marriage: Dion and Faye’s Story

Book Four: The Broken Vows: Zane and Celeste’s Story

Book Five: The Secret Fiancée: Lexington and Raya’s Story

Book Six: The Devious Husband: Sierra and Xavier’s Story

Book Review: The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

🌶️/5

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Phoebe and the gang return in the third installment of the Witches’ Brew Mysteries. There’s a lot going on in this book, so buckle up.

In the first book, Phoebe discovered she was a witch, and she’s been grappling with her new powers throughout the series. As it turns out, when she’s under stress, her powers tend to go a bit haywire—and there’s plenty to stress about in this one! She’s hosting a book signing for one of the hottest new influencers in… birding. (Such a millennial hobby! I love how the author worked that in.) But Phoebe quickly realizes something isn’t quite right with Sebastian and his entourage.

And she’s proven correct when Sebastian is murdered. While Phoebe isn’t directly implicated this time, she still feels responsible, having been the one to bring Sebastian to Raven’s Creek. When a childhood friend is arrested for the crime, Phoebe digs deeper, disregarding police warnings to stay out of it.

I also love that her relationship with Rich is continuing to develop, though it’s definitely the slowest of slow burns! Still, I don’t blame her for taking her time. This book focuses more on her learning to control her new powers than on romance. No spoilers, but by the end of the book, I think she’s got things under control—so hopefully we’ll see more of that sexy private eye in book 4. The ending was also VERY Scooby-Doo—the villain literally gets unmasked.

So, if you’re looking to kick off fall with a cozy mystery, grab a blanket and a cup of tea, and curl up with The Grim Steeper. It’s a classic whodunit, reminding me of Scooby-Doo meets Nancy Drew—but for adults. Bonus: There are tons of delicious recipes in the back, straight from the book.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Click on the links below for the rest of the Witches Brew Mysteries.

Book 1: Steeped To Death

Book 2: Death by a Thousand Sips

Thank you to the author Gretchen Rue, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

DM Me For Murder by Sarah E. Burr

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Loved seeing Coco and the gang back for another adventure! In book three of the Trending Topics Mysteries, Coco is once again at the center of a murder. This time, it’s not the police who think she’s up to no good, but the internet itself. The net is split between people sending her hate messages and people calling for her to help solve the murder of infulencer LaTage. Our girl Coco does her hardest to stay out of trouble, but as in the previous 2 books, trouble usually finds her.

I love that this book shows Coco growing a little more, turning off notifications and not letting social media rule her life, even though it is her career. More than once she wonders if she should deactivate her account, a thought that would have made book 1 Coco shudder.

The twists were good in this one, and although I had an inkling of who the killer was, I fell for the red herring a bit. 

Can’t wait to see what happens in book four, since the residents of Central Shores are getting a little fed up with all of the violence and murder happening in their sleepy town.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here.

Thank you to the author Sarah E. Burr, the publisher Level Best Books, and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Zero Stars Do Not Recommend

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Where to start, where to start…

So, initially, I grabbed this book because the cover led me to believe it was a rom-com. Wrong! Insert buzzer sound here.

You could call it a modern-day Lord of the Flies, and you wouldn’t be far off, but there’s so much more to this book. It’s got a mix of romance, mystery, sci-fi, thriller, and satire. Like Lord of the Flies, it forces us to consider what would happen if the worst-case scenario became reality. What would society look like if our systems of law and order collapsed and we were left to fend for ourselves?

Who among us, male or female, hasn’t felt like Dan at some point in our lives? That kid in school who was told they could be anything they wanted but ended up only achieving mediocrity? And who doesn’t wrestle with the question of what it means to be a man or a woman and the stereotypes that go along with that? Mara is amazing in this story, loving Dan for who he is rather than who she could mold him into. She’s a total badass.

The writing is sharp; it’s funny while tackling some terrifying ideas and notions. The one-liners are hysterical, and the relationship between Dan and Mara is delightful to read. And who would ever expect a Bible-thumping preacher’s wife, who also happens to be an MLM creator, to be the one who stages a coup and steals all the food and power? But, as with all stories, not everything is as it seems, and there’s more going on at the resort than meets the eye.

I’d describe this as a “soft” thriller, not because it’s overly scary, but because it still gives you that anxious, “OMG, what’s going to happen next?” feeling that thrillers do. If you’re a fan of the Finlay Donovan or Riley Thorn books, I think you’ll really enjoy Zero Stars Do Not Recommend. As always, read it yourself and see what you think. I went in expecting a rom-com, but it turned out to be so much better!

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley and the publisher Sourcebooks for giving me this opportunity to read an ARC copy.

Zero Stars Do Not Reccommend is out now and you can grab your copy here.

Darling Girls By Sally Hepworth

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5

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Ready for a wild ride? Because Sally Hepworth is about to take you on one with Darling Girls. This is one twisty thriller, my bookworm friends. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were all told how lucky they were to end up at Wild Meadows with the lovely Miss Fairchild. Turns out that lady was bananas with a capital B. At first, it’s just Jessica, but she’s joined shortly after by Norah and Alicia, and the three form an unbreakable bond. It grows stronger when Amy arrives, as does Miss Fairchild’s crazy factor. The girls manage to engineer a breakout, but there are consequences to crossing a crazy lady. Like suddenly, poof, no Amy.

Years later, Jessica owns her own house-cleaning business where she steals pills from her clients, Alicia is a social worker trying to help foster kids like herself, and Norah is still always in trouble. The girls are called when a body is discovered buried in the basement of Wild Meadows, forcing them to rehash memories they thought were long buried.

The book is told from multiple POVs, from Jessica, Norah, Alicia, and an unnamed narrator, and bounces between the past and the present.

It’s really hard to write spoiler-free reviews of thrillers because I don’t want to inadvertently give anything away. But I’ll say this: that last chapter came out of LEFT FIELD for me. Not because I didn’t suspect who the unnamed narrator was (I did), but because I totally bought the original story. Not that it made me feel any better about it, but holy cow, Miss Fairchild is a psycho.

On sale now, you can grab your copy here. It’s available in KU and also as BOTM.

As always, I encourage you to read this book and form your own opinions, just as I have. Thank you to the author Sally Hepworth, the publisher St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.