You're like concrete feet in the summer heat: DEAD AND GONE.

Dead and Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Chicago police detective Annalisa Vega cannot get away from investigating cops... even former ones. Her boss pulls her in to the case of Sam Tran, once a cop and now a PI, who is found hanging from a tree with a terrible message across his chest. Annalisa digs into Sam's cases, wondering if he found something that someone would rather have left buried. Her investigation reveals her own brother, Vinny, was a client. Sam was looking into a stalker on her niece Quinn's college campus.

Oh Annalisa, I just want to give her a hug. She's still haunted by her past choices related to her family--Pop is sick and on house arrest; another brother is in jail; the rest of the family, including Quinn, blame her; and other cops distrust her. She has her partner (in every sense of the word) Nick, but even those two have a troubled history.

As always, this is an excellent entry from Schaffhausen. She expertly weaves in several cases along with appearances from Annalisa's family. It was great to see Quinn, who plays a big role in this book. More Vegas! There are plenty of cases and a lot to keep us guessing. The stalker on Quinn's campus, Sam Tran's murder and his associated cases, and then Annalisa and Nick are tracking down a robbery suspect known as the Chicken Bandit. We get pulled into Tran's cold cases, as Annalisa worries that they may have something to do with his death. It seems like a lot, but they all meld together perfectly.

I love Schaffhausen's books because they are a great balance of police procedural and Annalisa's family life. She attempts to deal with the ramifications of turning in her father and brother, her future with Nick, and now, Quinn's safety. It adds an excellent personal tinge to the story. There are still plenty of twists and turns and surprises. And don't let the family aspect fool you--this is a dramatic and dark tale filled with violence and suspense!

Overall, this is an excellent read. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netalley and Minotaur in return for an unbiased review.

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You wanted to see me in your future: THE BREAKAWAY.

The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abby seems to have it all with her boyfriend, Mark. But she cannot forget the memories of a one-night stand she had with a man called Sebastian two years ago. So imagine her surprise when she reluctantly agrees to lead a bike trip from NYC to Niagara Falls and discovers that Sebastian is one of the group members. Even worse, Abby's nagging mother Eileen shows up as well.

This is a cute, easy read that I enjoyed, even if it doesn't have the full zing of some of Weiner's other works. BREAKAWAY is part romance, but also tries to tackle serious social issues such as abortion and body positivity. I think it does the body positivity piece quite well. Abby has struggled with her weight all her life--she and Mark originally met at weight-loss camp before reuniting years later--and she feels as if her mother has never accepted her for who she is. But even if she's still trying to find her way at times, Abby is tough. A cyclist who can fix a flat or cycle for miles in the rain. She impressed me over and over.

As for covering abortion, the book delves into a serious situation. At times, it seems like it handles this topic a little glibly and not always in-depth enough. Things wrap up awfully easily. But it was good to see the topic being covered at all.

My favorite part of BREAKAWAY was Abby and Sebastian. Their chemistry and relationship was enjoyable. I would have liked more of them honestly. The focus on relationships overall was good--mother/daughters, especially. I also learned a lot about cycling from reading this book.

This is a good read, perhaps a little light on the topics it delves into, but enjoyable nonetheless. 3.75 stars. (I wouldn't mind a follow up on Abby and Sebastian!)

I received a copy of this book from Atria Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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And the memories bring back, memories bring back you: THESE TOXIC THINGS.

These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mickie Lambert has a job creating digital Memory Boxes, where she curates digital artifacts for people. When she's hired to create a Memory Box for the elderly Nadia, the shop owner of Beautiful Things, she's fascinated by Nadia's life and her shop of curiosities. But Nadia dies shortly after they get started, apparently by suicide, but no one is quite sure. Mickie inserts herself in the investigation, determined to find out what happened to Nadia, and continues to finish her Memory Box.

This is my first book Howzell Hall, and I really liked the premise of it, though I have to say, the outcome seemed really obvious from Day 1. The story is interspersed with descriptions of Nadia's objects and where she found them, which is an interesting concept.

My problem with this one is that I just really disliked Mickie, and the whole book is focused on her. She takes advantage of her parents, makes poor decisions, sticks her nose in everything (except for using Google when it could easily solve a lot of problems). She's so whiny and needy and drove me insane.

This story starts off very ominous, and I was sucked in right away. Then it plateaus a bit, with Mickie doing her Mickie thing. It also wraps up a bit fast after everything we've been through. I give it points for being a quick read and a unique storyline, but I wish there was a bit more. 3 stars.

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I was always sad, mom was always mad: EVERYONE HERE IS LYING.

Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Angry and devastated when his affair with a neighbor unravels, William Wooler returns home in the middle of the day and surprises his nine-year-old daughter, Avery. The two argue and William angrily leaves. A few hours later, William and his wife declare Avery missing.

This is a fast-paced read focusing on a group of people in a neighborhood tied together by their secrets and various lies. It's easy to suspect everyone in the neighborhood once Avery goes missing--her angry dad; the husband of the woman with whom he was having an affair; a shifty teenage boy, and so on. The book starts off like gangbusters, sucking you in with Avery's disappearance and the various points of view of the neighbors. The short chapters keep things moving, with lots of intrigue and messed up relationships. Everyone suspects one another, and it seems as if there are no happy marriages or strong relationships with their children. The book slowed a little near the end and the vague ending ruined things a little for me. This was still a mysterious and enjoyable read. 3.75 stars.

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But I found a place where I can erase my past: THE MOST LIKELY CLUB.

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In high school, best friends Melissa, Priya, Tara, and Suki were going places. Their senior superlatives confirmed it (think Most Likely to Win the White House and Cure Cancer). At their 25th-year high school reunion, Melissa, Priya, and Tara reunite--Suki is off running her popular, million-dollar makeup business. The other women decide to get back to their old selves, forming a club "The Most Likely Girls" based on their superlatives. It reminds them of their younger selves and their strong friendship.

This was a good enough book -- certainly easy to relate to. I graduated from high school a year after these ladies, so I enjoyed the 90s era nostalgia that permeated the story. It started off as a slow mover; it's over 100 pages in before we get to the true premise of fulfilling their superlatives.
We learn a bit about the four girls in high school, but mostly focus on the four women navigating their 40s. Suki's success has a bit of its own story. The book touches on fighting the patriarchy as well as motherhood, marriage, and running businesses. The theme of trying to capture the optimism or vibrancy of high school runs throughout. I enjoyed Melissa's character the most--she and her teenage daughter grew on me. 3+ stars.


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You gotta dance, like a symphony of joy: CHANGE OF PLANS.

Change of Plans by Dylan Newton
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I keep telling myself to stop requesting random ARCs, but I can't, and the reason is books like this. The premise sounded intriguing, and I adored this incredibly charming story. Chef Bryce Weatherford becomes guardian to her three nieces June, 12; Cecily, 8; and Addison, 5, after the death of her brother and sister-in-law. If suddenly leaving her job and moving to a small town to care for these spunky girls isn't enough, Bryce has to fight off guardianship overtures from the girls' maternal grandparents. She finds an unlikely ally in Ryker Matthews, who rescues the group at the grocery store. The former Marine is struggling with own demons, though.

This is a delightful romance filled with fun and serious moments. I'm a total sucker for stories with kids, and Bryce's nieces are silly but very touching as they grapple with the death of their parents. Ryker is a guarded Marine dealing with PTSD; he has a below-the-knee amputation and phantom pain from his missing limb. It's rare to read a book that handles the military, PTSD, and amputation so well--and with the respect these topics deserve. I adored the stoic Ryker and his introverted ways.

CHANGE is still a really funny and cute story even if it touches on some tough subjects. Both Ryker and Bryce have hang ups, between his PTSD and her trying to keep the girls and figure out her life, but the instant attraction between the two crackles. Their banter is witty and sexy. Bryce is a tough cookie, and both main characters are more unique than you see in your usual romance. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I didn't realize it when I read it, but it's the third in a series about the Matthews brothers, but can be read as a stand-alone. Looking forward to catching up on the first two! 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in return for an unbiased review.

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You've got the kind of mind I love to read: THE KINGMAKER.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
My rating: 4+ of 5 stars

Maxim Cade grew up wealthy, son of an oil magnate. Lennix Hunter is the daughter of a Native American mother and white father who split when she was a child. When Lennix and Maxim meet by chance, she doesn't know he's a Cade--the family that represents all she despises. They both know the attraction between them is undeniable, but are their differences too great?

I've recently discovered Kennedy Ryan's books, and I have really enjoyed those I've read so far. My favorite thing about her books is that they are a wonderful combination of romance and social topics. In THE KINGMAKER, Ryan covers Native American culture, such the Yavapai-Apache Nation, an American Indian tribe. The novel deftly covers the tribe's culture, as well as the horrible indignities they have faced in their history. Using Lennix, including her past and present, we learn about how much her family has gone through, as well as so many of the rituals and ceremonies that means so much to her and her tribe.

The book also touches on climate change through the Cade family, between Maxim, who has no desire to be a part of his father's oil business, and his father, who hates that his son is spurning all he has built. These various topics give depth and structure to THE KINGMAKER.

Oh, but don't worry, there's plenty of romance too! In a tale that spans decades, Maxim and Lennix's story is hot and heavy with tension and banter and longing and wanting and so much more. It's beautiful and often stressful, but gorgeously written. I really enjoyed this one! 4+ stars.

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When you speak against me would you bring your family: ALL THE SINNERS BLEED.

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Titus Crowne returns to his hometown of Charon County, VA to help take care of his father. A former FBI agent, he runs for Sheriff to try to help change things in Charon, especially the way the Black community is treated by so many (including the former Sheriff). Becoming Charon's first Black sheriff is an honor. But exactly one year after he's elected, there's a school shooting at the high school. With a teacher shot by a student and that Black student shot by his deputies, Titus knows he owes his community an investigation. But he never expects that investigation to lead to trail of horror and abuse dating back years in Charon.

This is an absolutely amazing book. I listed to it on audio, which was wonderful. I will tell you that it's not for the faint of heart--this is a brutal story in so many ways, with a horrifying story that very much revolves around dead children, abuse, and torture.

SINNERS is a complex story that spans difficult topics like race and religion. But Titus is the heart of the tale, and he's a wonderful and complicated character. I was totally drawn into his life, his world, his thoughts. He's struggling with returning home, leaving the FBI behind, and trying to police a small town where many members still march in support of Confederate statues. The way Cosby discusses and portrays race is truly masterful -- he made genius point after point about the ridiculous desires to protect these insane statues and the struggles Titus faces as a Black sheriff in the south. Not only that, but Titus must solve a terrifying mystery that could overtake his town. It's dark and horrific, but compelling and so well-done. Using the secrets of Charon's small town as the backdrop, as well as Titus' friendships and familial relationships to explore the depths of this mystery and other troubling topics, this is truly a masterpiece.

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