Hey fellow bookworms!
As we hit the halfway point of 2023, let’s take a moment to reflect on the captivating narratives and unforgettable characters that have graced our bookshelves, as well as those stories that may have fallen short. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances, mind-bending science fiction to thought-provoking non-fiction, I want to share with you the books that have earned a spot on my “must-read” list while also providing insights into others that didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
I’ll be updating this list throughout the year as I read more books, so be sure to check back in. Hopefully, you’ll find some valuable information in this article that saves you both time and money.
Happy reading!
✒︎ Last updated August 15, 2023
Quick facts on my rating system:
Click the book covers to jump to their section or simply use the table of contents below!
5 STAR READS ★★★★★
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
This modern take on the classic novel, Little Women, is a multigenerational tale of love, loss, and bravery. It celebrates the unbreakable bond of sisterhood while also highlighting its fragilities. In Hello Beautiful, Ann Napolitano has created a sincere, profoundly moving book that will stay with readers long after reading it.
It’s not a lighthearted read, as it explores issues like depression and suicide, but the author’s talent for weaving together complex characters and beautiful prose has made this one of my top reads of 2023.
ABOUT THE BOOK
William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.
But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?
5 REASONS TO READ IT
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Yours Truly, book 2 in the ‘Part of Your World’ series, details the romance between Brianna Ortiz, Alexis’ best friend from book 1, and Jacob Maddox, a fellow ER doctor who might just be the sweetest human being you’ll ever meet. I absolutely adored Daniel and Alexis’ story from the previous book, and I didn’t think Jimenez could top it, but she knocks it out of the park again with Yours Truly. With humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, she weaves an inspiring and moving tale about loving someone just as they are, flaws and all.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.
And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.
BEST QUOTES
5 REASONS TO READ IT
Next To You by Hannah Bonam-Young
Next to You is more than just a story about two friends who renovate a school bus into a home. It’s a story about grief and forgiveness. It emphasizes that there’s no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of someone we love, and we have to learn to forgive ourselves for our past mistakes if we hope to move forward into the future. This was my first book by Hannah Bonam-Young, which is actually the second book in her Next Series, but after reading this one, I immediately bought book 1. And that did not disappoint either.
This friends to lovers romance is great for anyone looking for authentic characters, swoon-worthy romance and a little bit of HGTV action.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lane is in the middle of an identity crisis. Her friends are all partnered up, her career is leading nowhere, and simply put, she’s not happy. So after a night out celebrating (drinking) on her birthday, she makes one hell of an impulsive purchase. A giant yellow forty-eight passenger school bus that she intends to make a home.
With little-to-no renovation experience but a large sum of inheritance money, Lane enlists the help of her friend Matt—a mechanic by trade, handyman by practice, and hottie by nature.
While their mutual attraction is undeniable, Matt and Lane have silently agreed that a friendship is the only thing that can ever exist between them. Matt’s a total family guy with “settle down with me” tattooed across his forehead, whereas Lane is entirely commitment-averse.
So when Matt offers to help her with the bus and in the bedroom with no strings attached, Lane’s feelings evolve faster than you can say “just good friends.” But she soon discovers that in order to build something new, she has to first heal her past.
BEST QUOTES
5 REASONS TO READ IT
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
Who knew a pair of red Christian Louboutin shoes could cause so much chaos? Someone else’s shoes is about the strength of female friendships, self-discovery, and finding your power. It tells the story of a group of middle-aged women from diverse backgrounds who come together to form an unlikely sisterhood. Jojo Moyes created a fun mix of romance, mystery, humor, and wit to give readers an engaging story that will have you laughing and crying simultaneously.
There are elements in this story that reminded me of movies like Sandra Bullock’s Ocean 8 and Jennifer Lopez’s Maid in Manhattan. So if you liked those films, then you will definitely adore this one.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes?
Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope–she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.
That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag–she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.
BEST QUOTES
5 REASONS TO READ IT
The Museum Of Ordinary People By Mike Gayle
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a place to safely keep all the items and knick-knacks of loved ones who have passed away, the ones we don’t want to get rid of? That’s where the Museum of Ordinary People comes in. In this touching and inspiring story, Mike Gayle explores themes of grief, forgiveness, and the power of moving forward, leaving a lasting impact on every reader. Through a cast of authentic and intricate characters, the Museum of Ordinary People showcases the raw and messy yet beautiful tapestry of the human experience. It’s a journey that will resonate with everyone and leave you feeling deeply connected to the story.
Despite dealing with heavy issues like grief and loss, it’s ultimately a feel-good story that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. It’s the kind of story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read. It’s definitely one of my favorite books of 2023.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she’s ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold. As she sorts through a lifetime of memories, everything comes to a halt when she comes across something she just can’t part with: an old set of encyclopedias. To the world, the books are outdated and ready to be recycled. To Jess, they represent love and the future that her mother always wanted her to have.
In the process of finding the books a new home, Jess discovers an unusual archive of letters, photographs, and curious housed in a warehouse and known as the Museum of Ordinary People. Irresistibly drawn, she becomes the museum’s unofficial custodian, along with the warehouse’s mysterious owner. As they delve into the history of objects in their care, they not only unravel heart-stirring stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long-buried secrets that lie closer to home.
Inspired by an abandoned box of mementos, The Museum of Ordinary People is a poignant novel about memory and loss, the things we leave behind, and the future we create for ourselves.
5 REASONS TO READ IT
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
No Two Persons is a story that explores the power of a remarkable book and its profound impact when it meets a reader precisely when they need it the most. This is a love letter to anyone who loves to read. The story is told through a series of short stories featuring 10 characters and has a full circle ending that will leave your heart feeling bittersweet once it’s over.
ABOUT THE BOOK
One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives.
That was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go…
Alice has always wanted to be a writer. Her talent is innate, but her stories remain safe and detached, until a devastating event breaks her heart open, and she creates a stunning debut novel. Her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.
Together, their stories reveal how books can affect us in the most beautiful and unexpected of ways—and how we are all more closely connected to one another than we might think.
5 REASONS TO READ IT
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
What if you met the right person at the wrong time? The Seven Year Slip is a touching story about meeting your true love too early but having to wait for the right time to fully love them. It’s about learning to say goodbye to the familiarity of the past and welcoming the uncertainty of the future with open arms.
The male MC reminded me of Atlas from “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, as they are both chefs, and the connection between Iwan and Clementine is similar to that of Lily and Atlas.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.
So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.
And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.
Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.
Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.
After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.
5 REASONS TO READ IT
4 STAR READS ★★★★
Out On A Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young is a sweet and tenderhearted story about unexpected love and the strength of living with a disability. With her famous trifecta of quick wit, authentic characters, and charming dialogues, Hannah delivers a story that is both eye-opening and inspiring.
I can tell how much of Hannah’s heart is in this novel. With her personal experience of a limb disability, getting to know Win felt like getting to know Hannah herself. I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes and learning about how she has grown while navigating the struggles that come with being different.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Winnifred “Win” McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she’s done just fine.
That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything.
While Bo is surprisingly elated to step upto the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand.
Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.
What i liked
what i didn’t like
Business Or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Business or Pleasure is a refreshing story about a ghostwriter who falls in love with the celebrity whose book she is writing after a bad one-night stand with him. This book is excellent for those who love stories with good mental health representation, pro-therapy, and sex-positive vibes.
What drew me to this book was the premise of the failed one-night stand where the guy wasn’t mind-blowing in bed, as most romance heroes are. It was nice to read a more realistic take on intimacy.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.
Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.
What i liked
what i didn’t like
Drowning by T.J Newman
12 lives are at risk when a plane plummets into the ocean shortly after taking off from Hawaii. Drowning by T.J Newman is an emotionally gripping and high-paced thriller that takes us on a journey as these survivors fight for their lives while those on the surface race against time to rescue them. Despite the odds against them, the characters in this novel display remarkable courage and resilience in the face of danger. Drowning is an absolute must-read for readers who enjoy suspenseful stories that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors—but it’s too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside.
More than two hundred feet below the surface, engineer Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon are waist-deep in water and fighting for their lives.
Their only chance at survival is an elite rescue team on the surface led by professional diver Chris Kent—Shannon’s mother and Will’s soon-to-be ex-wife—who must work together with Will to find a way to save their daughter and rescue the passengers from the sealed airplane, which is now teetering on the edge of an undersea cliff.
There’s not much time.
There’s even less air.
With devastating emotional power and heart-stopping suspense, Drowning is an unforgettable thriller about a family’s desperate fight to save themselves and the people trapped with them—against impossible odds.
What I liked
What I didn’t like
3 STAR READS ★★★
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
Practice Makes Perfect is the sequel to When in Rome and follows the youngest Walker sibling, Annie, and her romantic relationship with Will, Amelia’s bodyguard from the previous book. The story is told from both perspectives, which I found to be a charming way to experience their small-town romance. Annie is the sweet girl next door, while Will is the commitment-phobe bad boy.
While it was entertaining and quick, several elements felt childish and over the top. Nevertheless, it’s worth a read if you love an opposites-attract romance with some small-town feels.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.
Will—the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky.
Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no.
Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.
3 REASONS TO READ IT
3 REASONS TO SKIP IT
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
In Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, Sutanto brings together the most unlikely set of characters to prove that family can be found in the most surprising ways. Although it’s marketed as a mystery, what exists at the center of this story is a whole lot of heart.
This book is like a good cup of tea that I would enjoy drinking once but easily forget afterward. If you’re looking for a book with easy-to-read prose and emotionally complex characters, this book is definitely for you. Just keep in mind that it’s not as mysterious as expected.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Vera Wong is a lonely little old lady—ah, lady of a certain age—who lives above her forgotten tea shop in the middle of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, oh no. She likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet about what her Gen-Z son is up to.
Then one morning, Vera trudges downstairs to find a curious thing—a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she sort of . . . swipes the flash drive from the body and tucks it safely into the pocket of her apron. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could, because nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands.
Vera knows the killer will be back for the flash drive; all she has to do is watch the increasing number of customers at her shop and figure out which one among them is the killer.
What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for each and every one of them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?
MY REVIEW
I have mixed feelings about Vera. While she can be old-fashioned and pushy at times, she also has a nurturing nature that makes it easy to gravitate towards her. Not to mention, her cooking is so good that it’s hard not to be seduced by it.
I also appreciated how the author showed the vulnerabilities behind her independent widow facade. The other characters each had their own struggles, which were portrayed well, even though the “bad guy” was a bit one-dimensional.
Where this book falls short for me is the plot. The mystery subplot was really underwhelming, and the big reveal was anticlimactic. I had hoped that the pacing, which was slow, would have made the big reveal worth it, but unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Do I Know You? by Emily Wibberley
The marriage-in-trouble trope is one of my favorite themes to read about because I like seeing two people fighting to stay in love. Relationships aren’t perfect, and life happens, but once two people invest in the effort to mend things between them, then the sky is the limit.
This book explores the societal pressures of having a perfect marriage while emphasizing the importance of always dating your spouse. If you love stories that will have you escaping into a hotel vacation alongside a flawed couple who refuse to give up on each other, then this book is for you. But those who are not fans of the miscommunication trope and tedious inner monologues should skip this one.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Eliza and Graham are anticipating an anything-but-sexy, weeklong getaway to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Nestled on the Northern California coastline, the resort prides itself on being a destination for those in love and those looking to find it. For Eliza and Graham, it might as well be a vacation with a roommate.
When a well-meaning guest mistakes Eliza and Graham for being single and introduces them at the hotel bar, they don’t correct him. Suddenly, they’re pretending to be perfect strangers and it’s unexpectedly…fun? Eliza and Graham find themselves flirting like it’s their first date, and waiting with butterflies in their stomach for the other to text back.
Everyone at the retreat can sense the electric chemistry between Eliza and Graham’s alter egos. But when their scintillating game of roleplaying ends, will they still feel the heat?
3 REASONS TO READ IT
3 REASONS TO SKIP IT
2 STAR READS ★★
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Happy Place by Emily Henry details the story of a group of friends who go on vacation each year to escape the stresses of their daily lives. As the years go by, they face the challenge of dealing with real-life issues and growing apart. It’s a heartwarming tale about making choices that align with your desires rather than the expectations of others.
I had high hopes for this one becase of all the bookstagram hype and sadly, it didn’t live up to it. I understand that I am in the minority on this so maybe Emily Henry is just not the author for me. Though the premise and witty banter are delightful, the book reads like an early draft and leaves much room for improvement.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t.
They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends.
Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.
Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week…in front of those who know you best?
BEST QUOTES
3 REASONS TO READ IT
3 REASONS TO SKIP IT
No One Needs To Know by Lindsay Cameron
No One Needs To Know delves into the lives of three mothers living on the Upper East Side and showcases the immense pressure families face to gain admission into the most prestigious high schools. The author highlights how financial resources and the privilege they afford can dictate one’s life trajectory.
I was excited about this book’s interesting and unique premise, but I have to say, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I kept comparing it to Girls with Bright Futures, which had me hooked to my headphones the whole time. But this book was a bit of a struggle for me to get through, and I found myself looking forward to the end.
However, I know everyone has different tastes, so if you’re in the mood for an easy women’s fiction read with some parental drama set on the UES, it might be worth giving it a shot!
ABOUT THE BOOK
It was all confidential. Right up to the moment when it wasn’t.
UrbanMyth: It was lauded as an alternative to the performative, show-your-best-self platforms—an anonymous discussion board grouped by zip code. The residents of Manhattan’s exclusive Upper East Side disclosed it all, things they would never share with their friends or their spouses: secret bank accounts, steamy affairs, tidbits of juicy gossip. The same people who, as parents, go to astonishing lengths to ensure that their children gain admission to the most prestigious boarding schools and universities. So when a “hacktivist” group breaks into the forum and exposes the real identity of each poster, the repercussions echo down Park Avenue with a force that none could have anticipated.
And someone ends up dead.
Is the murderer Heather, the outsider who would do anything to get her daughter into the elite’s good graces and into their even better schools? Norah, the high-powered executive failing to balance work with the emotional responsibilities of motherhood? Or Poppy, whose perfect-on-the-outside façade conceals more than her share of secrets?
Each of them has something to hide.
Each of them will do anything to keep secrets hidden.
And each of them just might kill to protect their own.
BEST QUOTES
3 REASONS TO READ IT
3 REASONS TO SKIP IT
Before She Finds Me by Heather Chavez
Two mothers race against time to find the truth in order to protect their families. This is great book for persons who like a who-dun-it story surrounding assassins.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Julia Bennett has worked hard to create a stable life for her daughter, Cora, in Southern California. So when Cora leaves for college, the worst thing Julia expects on move-in day is an argument with her ex-husband and his new wife. But a sudden attack leaves the campus stunned—and only Julia’s quick actions save Cora’s life. Shaken in the aftermath, and haunted by a dark secret, Julia starts to wonder: What if the attack wasn’t as random as everyone believes?
Newly pregnant Ren Petrovic has an unusual career—she’s a trained assassin, operating under a strict moral code. Ren wasn’t on campus that day, but she knows who was: her husband, Nolan. What she doesn’t know is why Nolan has broken their rules by not telling her about the job in advance. The more Ren looks into the attack, the more she begins to question: Who really hired Nolan? And why did one woman in the crowd respond so differently from all the rest?
Julia and Ren each want answers, but their searches quickly pit them against each other. One woman is a hired killer, but the other is a determined survivor. And both mothers will defend their families to the bitter end.
2 REASONS TO READ IT
4 REASONS TO SKIP IT
BOOKS I DID NOT FINISH ★
You Look Beautiful Tonight by L.R Jones
GENRE: Mystery/Suspense/thriller
DNF at 15%
ABOUT THE BOOK
A secret admirer’s devotion turns deadly in a twisting novel of psychological suspense.
Mia Anderson is an invisible woman. An unremarkable thirty-two-year-old Tennessee librarian, she’s accustomed to disappearing in a crowd, unseen and unheard. Then she receives an anonymous note: You look beautiful today.
It doesn’t stop there. The attentive stranger—a secret admirer named Adam—has plans for Mia. With each new text comes a suggestion for her hair, clothes, or attitude, and for the first time in memory, Mia feels noticed. Slowly, she develops a confidence in herself she’s never had. But Adam has a surprise coming…and Mia finally sees him for who he is and what he’s prepared to do for her. Even kill.
Fearing she could be implicated in the murder, Mia’s forced to turn to the stranger in the shadows watching her every move. Adam’s game of cat and mouse begins with Mia as the prey. In order to survive, she must also become the predator.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
No Home For Killers by E.A Aymar
GENRE: Mystery/Suspense/thriller
DNF at 27%
ABOUT THE BOOK
The chilling story of two conflicted sisters, their murdered brother, and the secrets a family hoped they’d never have to face.
The murder of jazz musician and social activist Markus Peña doesn’t come as a surprise to his estranged sisters. Melinda and Emily Peña know their controversial brother had enemies. After all, even they hadn’t spoken to Markus since their mother’s funeral two years ago.
Who killed Markus? Was it someone trying to keep his latest protest song from publication? Was it the powerful and secretive uncle of his ex-girlfriend Rebecca? Or was it one of the other women Markus had callously abandoned?
To unravel the truth, Melinda and Emily must first face their own demons. Melinda, a former social worker, suffers from PTSD―haunted by the people she failed to help and unable to maintain meaningful relationships. Emily also pushes people away―afraid she’ll get hurt and afraid they’ll find out she’s Three Strikes: a masked vigilante who violently punishes abusive men.
Markus wasn’t a good man, but he was family. And it’s up to his sisters to uncover his lifetime of lies and the truth of his death.
Haunting, gripping, and relevant, No Home for Killers explores the conflicts that tear families apart―and the tragedies that force them back together.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
Ascension by Nicholas Binge
GENRE: Science fiction
DNF at 50%
ABOUT THE BOOK
The only way out is up. . .
An enormous snow-covered mountain has appeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one knows when exactly it showed up, precisely how big it might be, or how to explain its existence. When Harold Tunmore is contacted by a shadowy organization to help investigate, he has no idea what he is getting into as he and his team set out for the mountain.
The higher Harold’s team ascends, the less things make sense. Time moves differently, turning minutes into hours, and hours into days. Amid the whipping cold of higher elevation, the climbers’ limbs numb and memories of their lives before the mountain begin to fade. Paranoia quickly turns to violence among the crew, and slithering, ancient creatures pursue them in the snow. Still, as the dangers increase, the mystery of the mountain compels them to its peak, where they are certain they will find their answers. Have they stumbled upon the greatest scientific discovery known to man or the seeds of their own demise?
Framed by the discovery of Harold Tunmore’s unsent letters to his family and the chilling and provocative story they tell, Ascensionconsiders the limitations of science and faith and examines both the beautiful and the unsettling sides of human nature.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
While the premise was interesting – the sudden appearance of a mysterious mountain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – I am not a fan of science fiction. I approached this book with an open mind, hoping to explore new genres, but it’s safe to say that science fiction is not my cup of tea.
I couldn’t even follow their explanation for why the mountain was there. Despite studying physics in college, it didn’t help me understand any of it. I kept re-reading it to try and understand it more, but that didn’t help.
There was enough suspense and intrigue to keep me reading, but as the mystery slowly unraveled, it became too implausible and hard to believe. When the aliens entered, I checked out completely.
I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
GENRE: Coming-of-age, psychological fiction
DNF at 20%
ABOUT THE BOOK
When Leah Kempler meets Charlie Nelson in line at the grocery store, their attraction is immediate and intense. Charlie, with his big feelings and grand proclamations of love, captivates her completely. But there are peculiarities of his life—he’s older than her but lives with his parents; he meets up with a friend at odd hours of the night; he sleeps a lot and always seems to be coming down with something. He confesses that he’s a recovering heroin addict, but he promises Leah that he’s never going to use again.
Leah’s friends and family are concerned. As she finds herself getting deeper into an isolated relationship, one of manipulation and denial, the truth about Charlie feels as blurry as their time together. Even when Charlie’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, when he starts to make Leah feel unsafe, she can’t help but feel that what exists between them is destined. Charlie is wide open, boyish, and unbearably handsome. The bounds of Leah’s own pain—and love—are so deep that she can’t see him spiraling into self-destruction.
Hanna Halperin writes with aching vulnerability and intimacy, sharply attuned to Leah’s desire for an all-consuming, compulsive connection. I Could Live Here Forever exposes the chasm between perception and truth to tell an intoxicating story of one woman’s relationship with an addict, the accompanying swirl of compassion and codependence, and her enduring search for love and wholeness.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
Heartless by Elsie Silver
TROPES: single dad, grumpy/sunshine, small town, age gap
DNF at 40%
ABOUT THE BOOK
Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than Willa Grant, and he barely looks her way, even though she’s living in his house for the summer. That is, until she gets him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then, all bets are off―and so are their clothes.
Cade is gruff, a little rough around the edges, but broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who is she to resist?
But it’s in their quietest moments together that he softens. It’s in the unexpected way he takes care of Willa that she realizes his hardened exterior is just a façade. And it’s when she watches him go all sweet with his little boy that she starts to fall for him, whatever the consequences.
Someone once convinced Cade that his best wasn’t good enough. But Willa has never felt more cherished than she does in his arms.
Her contract says this arrangement is only for two months.
But her heart says this is forever.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
My main issue with this story was Willa. It’s very hard for me to enjoy a book when one of the main characters is not someone I can relate to or find likeable.
There was also too much lusting between the characters that I didn’t feel much of an emotional chemistry between them. The audiobook also ruined the experience for me because Willa’s narrator sounded way too young, and I’m used to Cade’s narrator as the voice of young, carefree brothers of other small-town series I’ve read, so it just didn’t match Cade well as the grump. I might have had a better try with this one as a physical book or ebook.
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
TROPES: marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers
DNF at 75%
ABOUT THE BOOK
After losing her job and her fiancé in one fell swoop, Natalie Vos returned home to lick her wounds. A few months later, she’s sufficiently drowned her sorrows in cabernet and she’s ready to get back on her feet. She just needs her trust fund to finance her new business venture. Unfortunately, the terms require she marry before she can have the money. And well, dumped, remember? But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him—and kiss him, in equal measure.
August Cates may own a vineyard, but he doesn’t know jack about making wine. He’s determined to do his late best friend proud, no matter what it takes. Except his tasting room is empty, his wine is disgusting (seriously, he once saw someone gag), and his buddy’s legacy is circling the drain. No bank will give him the loan he needs to turn the business around… and then the gorgeous, feisty heiress knocks on his door. Natalie has haunted his dreams since the moment they met, but their sizzling chemistry immediately morphed into simmering insults.
Now, a quickie marriage could help them both. A sham wedding, a few weeks living under the same roof, and then they can go their separate ways—assuming they make it out alive. How hard could it be? There’s just one thing they didn’t account for: their unfortunate, unbearable, undeniable attraction.
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
So I am definitely in the minority on this one lol. I love Tessa Bailey and her Bellinger Sisters series is one of my all time favs. I loved the witty banter and PTSD rep in this one but sadly, this missed the mark for me.
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
TROPE: grumpy/sunshine, online friends to lovers
DNF at 43%
ABOUT THE BOOK
Maggie is an unapologetically grumpy forty-eight-year-old hermit. But when her college-aged son makes her a deal—he’ll be more social if she does the same—she can’t refuse. She joins a new online gaming guild led by a friendly healer named Otter. So that nobody gets the wrong idea, she calls herself Bogwitch.
Otter is Aiden, a fifty-year-old optimist using the guild as an emotional outlet from his family drama caring for his aging mother while his brother plays house with Aiden’s ex-fiancée.
Bogwitch and Otter become fast virtual friends, but there’s a catch. Bogwitch thinks Otter is a college student. Otter assumes Bogwitch is an octogenarian.
When they finally meet face to face—after a rocky, shocking start—the unlikely pair of sunshine and stormy personalities grow tentatively closer. But Maggie’s previous relationships have left her bitter, and Aiden’s got a complicated past of his own.
Everything’s easier online. Can they make it work in real life?
WHY I DID NOT LIKE IT
The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
TROPES: one night stand, fake dating, friends to lovers
DNF at 57%
ABOUT THE BOOK
After crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult.
She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe. But when she logs into the dating app to look for new love, she finds none other than Jack: the guy whose hotel room she’d snuck out of.
After agreeing they are absolutely not interested in each other, Jack and Hallie realise that they’re each other’s perfect wing-person – and join forces in their searches for The One. They even make a wager to see who can find true love first.
But when they agree to be fake dates for a weekend wedding, all bets are off.
Because as they pretend to be a couple, they struggle to remember why dating for real was a bad idea to begin with…
