I'm waiting for an answer, listening for hope: IT COULD HAVE BEEN HER.

It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell


Out walking her property one day, Jane Trevally comes across a small white dog. She tracks down the dog's owner after she realizes that the girl who was with the dog has disappeared. The owner lives in London, nowhere near Jane, but when she arrives at their home, she discovers she's had an eerie encounter there before. Jane doesn't believe the owner that Hugo, the dog, ran away, and starts her own investigation.

Her amateur sleuthing leads her into the twisted depths of a deeply messed up family. Jane slowly learns more about the spooky house, its history, and the family that lived there. The house--and therefore the story--gives off a creepy, horrifying atmosphere, especially as Jane slowly uncovers each layer.

Jane is an interesting character (she appears in a previous Jewell book, briefly). She's a nosy, somewhat lonely, woman, who finds joy in trying to solve mysteries. The crime is interspersed with Jane's own personal issues, as she struggles to maintain her family's home and interacts with her gaggle of former stepchildren. It seems ridiculous that she'd try to track down Hugo's owner... but somehow it works. We get the POV of multiple other characters, as well.

Overall, this is a really dark tale, with some deeply disturbing plot turns. It keeps you guessing as you attempt to put together all the complicated plot pieces. I am in awe of how Jewell comes up with all these books!

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


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My home it's got your name on it: BANK SHOT.

Bank Shot by Josie Mae


I quite enjoyed this story. We have GJ, a star women's college basketball player, and Leah, a cheerleader at the same college. GJ is not known for settling down--with anyone. She's also having a tough season adjusting to life without her former teammate (and still best friend) and isn't playing well. Meanwhile, Leah feels like she's in the constant shadow of her twin, who plays basketball with GJ. Her family focuses all their attention on her sister, instead of Leah.

In an attempt to stand up for herself--and defy her sister's rule of not dating her teammates, Leah makes a flirtatious play for GJ. But their one-night-stand turns into more, much to each's surprise.

Watching GJ and Leah develop a relationship is endearing, and it's incredibly easy to root for the two of them. There is some character maturity as well as sexy bits. As a basketball fan, I enjoyed the focus on the game, even if this seemed to be some magical world where every player was headed for the WNBA.

This is fun, sexy, basketball romance with a serious side. Highly enjoyable!

I received a copy of this book from Book Funnel and Honky Tonk Angels Publishing in return for an unbiased review.

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I'll keep a light on in my soul: ANY GIRL BUT YOU.

Any Girl But You by Dana Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet lesbian holiday romance that still felt festive in May!

Quinn leaves her stressful job in NYC to come live with her sister in Minnesota. She's bought a tree farm, which seemed like a great idea, but is now freaking her out a bit. As for Zoey, she runs a successful bakery in the same town. Quinn has no desire to settle down--with anyone--but she does care about her business. So does Zoey, who also has a chronic desire to please everyone. She's still reeling from her past breakup. The two clash over a cookie order, but soon must reluctantly team up to save their businesses.

Of course, the more time they spend together, the more they start to enjoy each other's company. (I, for one, am shocked!) The book has a fun, festive, small-town vibe--and it's often funny, too! I love a good lesbian romance that makes you smile. Of course, Quinn and Zoey have to work through their relationship and trust issues, but they do so realistically, with enjoyable banter and strong chemistry. Definitely worth a read. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

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

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I can feel the weight of it now: HEARTSICK.

Heartsick by Kristina Forest
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Margot has a summer internship at Healing Hearts. The company has created a pill that claims to block romantic thoughts about a specific person--the one who has broken your heart. This is particularly ironic to Margot because she and her boyfriend, Isaac, recently broke up.

"Heartbreak doesn't have to last forever."

Margot is still shocked when she sees Isaac in Healing Hands. Is he trying to erase their romantic relationship from his memory? Before they can hash it out, they overhear a conversation between the two Healing Heart founders that sets off a chain of events, sending the two running for safety... together.

This is a cute story, if not a bit convoluted. It's a romance, but also feels like a mystery as Isaac and Margot try to track down what exactly is happening at Healing Hands. In some ways, I preferred the mystery story versus the romance, which seemed a little lacking at times. Still, this is a unique tale with diverse characters and a sweet teen romance. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group in return for an unbiased review.



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Though the years my tears may dry I shall love you til I die: MAKE ME A MONSTER.

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to a long drive and the power of audiobooks, I read this book in one day (half audio, half print)!

This is a Frankenstein-inspired horror story, with a YA romance bent. Be forewarned, it's a bit weird. But really good. But rather gruesome. And did I mention a bit weird?

High schooler Meka has grown up in her family's Redwood funeral home. (Literally, they live in the same building as their business.) Even though she's only in high school, Meka is already a certified mortician's assistant. She has a life plan and a wonderful boyfriend, Noah. Death is a part of her daily life, but it doesn't bother her.

But then, something awful happens. Strange happenings start occurring. And it seems like the dead people that Meka is so used to... aren't staying dead.

I love Bayron's books. They are just so compelling. This story is part love story between Maya and Noah, part horror, as body parts are falling off all around us. Be prepared, too, for some very detailed descriptions of funeral home procedures, death, and oh yeah, those severed body parts.

I'm not a big horror person, but while I grimaced at a few scenes, I really liked this story. As with pretty much everything Bayron writes, it's original and funny (even when laced with tragedy!) coupled with well-written, diverse characters. 4+ stars.

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

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A secret's a boat tossed on a wave: THE ANNIVERSARY.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a typical Alex Finlay page turner that I blew through in about 24 hours!

It follows the intertwining lives of classmates Quinn and Jules, checking in on both of them every May 1st, starting in 1992.

That first fateful May 1, 1992 is a big one: Quinn, a good kid from a poor household is arrested after trying to help stop a fight. And Jules survives an attack from the so-called "May Day Killer" that leaves her horribly traumatized.

After his time in prison, Quinn spends his time looking for his mom's killer, while Jules becomes a model trying to outrun her past. But over time, we see their paths overlapping more and more. This one is hard to put down, as we have lots to figure out--who is the May Day killer? Who killed Quinn's mother?

The only reason this isn't rated higher is that while I found the story captivating, I did find much of it predictable, figuring out the main culprits fairly early on. There's only so much character development when we check on our protagonists once a year. Still, this is an enjoyable thriller that also delves into serious topics, such as sexual assault and how society views missing women. 3.5+ stars.

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

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You know when you’re by my side, darling, nothing can bring us down: DOLLY ALL THE TIME.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan


Easily one of my favorite reads of 2025 -- keep this one on your radar for its May 2026 release!

Dolly Brick is back in her hometown of Whitfield, Rhode Island to take care of her dad and brother after a (small) fire in her childhood home. That's typical for Dolly--always helping, always giving. She and her teenage son are assisting her dad at the family fish shop and generally making themselves useful. While delivering for the shop, she comes across Stewart Whitfield--one of those wealthy Whitfields whom the town is named after--floundering while trying to change a tire. Dolly does it for him, leading to him asking her to pose as his girlfriend to convince his family that he's serious both about taking over the family business and settling down.

What's so great about this book is that it allows you to completely embrace a fantasy come to life: a weary mom wined and dined by the handsome, rich guy. You know it's fake, but Monaghan writes so convincingly that you find yourself wishing it was real. The characters just pop off the page--written as vibrant, realistic, flawed, and funny humans. I truly wanted what was best for Dolly and Stewart.

Nothing about this story feels forced or silly, as so many fake dating tropes can. Their reasons to pull away aren't contrived, but based on actual motivations. We meet Stewart's family, including his sister, Busy, and his doctor Mom and learn about his need to be the absolute best for his family. And then there's the charming Dolly, attempting to do it all after her mom left when she was a child. Her sweet son, Gus, is a wonderful character as well.

This is a romance, but also a story of growth and the strength of family. It's a vulnerable story but also funny. I found it hard to put down and highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this story from Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons in return for an unbiased review. Look for this one 5/26/2026!

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