I build my house up on this rock, baby, every day with you: LATE BLOOMER.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I adore a good sapphic romance, but I cannot handle miscommunications and bad decision-making. So LATE BLOOMER was a bit of a draw for me. Opal has a history of not standing up for herself and making a mess of her life. She's known for her impulsivity--best displayed when she wins the lottery and buys a farm, sight unseen. When she arrives, she finds Pepper living there. Unbeknownst to Pepper, her mom sold the flower farm, which belonged to Pepper's late grandmother, out from under her.

Now, here's where most logical people would turn to crazy things like lawyers and wills and deeds, right? But no, Pepper and Opal make the only rational decision: they will live together on said farm, in the same house, while they figure things out and Pepper determines a way to make the floral business profitable and buy out Opal.

As they do, the two yo-yo through emotions like no one's business. We're up, we're down, we're up again! I could not keep up. We're talking, we're hiding things, we're lying, we're being honest. Sure, Pepper has trust issues thanks to her con artist mom (exhibit A: sells farm where daughter is living), but does she have to dislike Opal simply because she's kind? As for Opal, girl, take your deed to a lawyer and stop all this insanity and pining. Because, of course, our girls are alternatively hating each other and wanting to take one another's pants off. There's no character development leading up to any of this.

Over the course of the story, Pepper and Opal did grow on me. (Though, please, just look through your documents when a relative passes away!) I enjoyed how neurodiverse friendly this tale was, and it covered autism and ADHD rather thoughtfully. It's bi-friendly and practically every character is queer in some way--hurrah! Eddings delves into themes of finding yourself, being worthy of love, and having what you deserve in life. This is a cute story, even if the characters are a little thin and the plot a bit frustrating at times. 3.25 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review.


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Or would we never know the fortunes that we had 'til we grow old: THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was surprisingly good. I was prepared for predictability with yet another plot centering around the daughter of a cop--now a detective herself--struggling with their history with their father, losing her murdered sister, and investigating a series of missing girls. But ELLIE BLACK is a sad and haunting tale that keeps you guessing and reading.

In the present-day we hear from Chelsey (detective), Ellie herself, Ellie's boyfriend, and Ellie's parents as they all narrate her return after being missing for over two years. The timeline in the past comes from Ellie, at 17, and explains the circumstances of her disappearance. Present-day Ellie has no desire to explain to Chesley what happened to her, frustrating the detective beyond words, and taking her back to her own youth, when her sister died.

Chelsey is a flawed character and comes across very real, even frustrating. As does Ellie--there's no "hero worship" of our victim here. Even Ellie herself will admit she wasn't the perfect daughter before her disappearance. This is a dark book, with plenty of damaged characters, and it dives deeply into violence toward women. I found it hard to put down, with a plethora of twists and surprises. 4.25 stars.


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You got a way of letting me down: THE HUNTER.

The Hunter by Tana French
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Because I buy all Tana French books sight unseen, I didn't realize that THE HUNTER is a follow-on to French's THE SEARCHER, which is one my all-time favorite books. What a wonderful surprise! You do not need to read the first book to enjoy the second, but it's such a lovely read that I highly recommend doing so.

THE HUNTER picks back up with Cal Hooper, a former Chicago policeman now living in the Irish countryside; his girlfriend, Lena; and teenager Trey Reddy, a fifteen-year-old local girl who befriended Cal in the last book. The two have a friendship based on their love of woodworking and the fact that Cal is a safe place in Trey's chaotic home life. When Trey's no-good father shows up after several years away, he upends the town with his appearance and the strange Englishman he brings with him who claims he knows where to find gold on their lands. Stirred up by a relentless heat, Johnny's schemes take over the village, bringing Trey right along with him.

French perfectly captures a restless village on edge due to a heat wave and lack of rain, the wild uneasiness pulsing across the farmers and local townspeople: their boredom, their wariness, and their fear lurking just below the surface. Johnny and his friend play upon these fears--and this boredom--while spinning tales of wealth and riches.

And this is a village where the people have their own code, their own rules--some spoken, some not--they make their own decisions and can easily take matters into their own hands. Is Trey at risk, Cal worries, just by being associated with Johnny?

It's as if we are there, in the Irish countryside, with our characters, as French's beautiful, precise writing drops us right next to the sheep grazing outside Cal's window or on the winding mountain trail leading to Trey's dilapidated, crowded home. The remote atmosphere is its own character, with the role of a small town and its code playing a strong role in the story.

French weaves her story slowly. This is a character-driven novel, not one built on twists and wild action. Luckily, the characters are beautifully drawn and wonderfully complex. The give and take between Cal and Trey is masterful, as the teen struggles with trusting her mentor, feelings for her absent father, and emotions toward a town that could care less for the Reddy family. French explores how much we sacrifice for those we love, especially as Cal and Lena are caught up in things they'd normally ignore due to their affection for Trey.

This is a gorgeous mystery with complex characters and writing that drops you right into the atmospheric setting. 4.5+ stars.


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The bridges that I burned and the trains I didn't catch: DAUGHTER OF MINE.

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This felt more like classic Megan Miranda--a taunt page-turner that keeps you reading until the end. Hazel returns to her hometown upon her father's death and is surprised to learn that he, the town's beloved Sheriff, left her (and only her) his house on the lake. This does not go over well with her brothers, Caden and Gage, who now serve in the local force as well. His death literally brings up the past, when a drought unearths two cars in the nearby lake.

DAUGHTER relies on the oft-used trope of someone returning to their hometown, always a small town where everyone knows your business, to try to puzzle out a crime on their own. Miranda does a good job with the material though, building up suspense while slowly revealing more details. The story is dark and atmospheric. Hazel tended to pontificate a bit much for my taste, but I enjoyed how the book delved into the twisted world of family ties and secrets. Hazel is scarred by her mom leaving her behind as a teen, and mother issues permeate the tale. It gets a little wild at the end, but I was along for the ride.

This is a tense and suspenseful tale for those who love small town thrillers. 3.75 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon Element / Marysue Rucci Books in return for an unbiased review.

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I dream in shades of green and gray and gold: THE PROSPECTS.

The Prospects by K.T. Hoffman
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Somehow this book is a debut, which is flabbergasting, because it's pretty freaking amazing. It's an ode to America's pastime featuring characters that America doesn't always want to embrace. Well too bad, because the characters of THE PROSPECTS are wonderful, complicated, and not-at-all one-dimensional. They are portrayed as actual humans (*gasp*) and not just queer stereotypes.

Gene is such a great character: a trans baseball player in the minor leagues, with dreams of making it big. Gene is adorable. He is sweet, funny, optimistic, smart, and learning to navigate the world as a gay man. Thankfully, he has his teammate, aging pitcher and Team Dad Vince, plus Vince's husband, to help him navigate the baseball world. But nothing can prepare him for the arrival of Luis, a former teammate, rival, and crush, to his beloved Beaverton Beavers.

Luis may rival Gene for adorableness--Hoffman writes his anxiety into the story so beautifully, and it's impossible not to fall in love with them both. The story is about hope and wanting, following your dreams, and the people we find along the way. Found family is so important here. Baseball plays such a vital role in the story: its highs and lows, its transient nature, and the optimism required to play successfully. I love a good sports romance and THE PROSPECTS balances both perfectly.

The book feels just a bit long at times and one conflict felt forced/repetitive, but overall this is such a great story. It's so important and filled with such vibrant, realistic LGBTQIAP+ characters. 4.5 stars.

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

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Stars all aligned and they intertwined: SECOND NIGHT STAND.

Second Night Stand by Karelia Stetz-Waters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Both Izzy Wells and Lillian Jackson feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. Izzy is trying to keep her local theater afloat, providing a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and a place for her burlesque troupe Velveteen Crush to practice. Lillian, the ballet master and choreographer for a ballet company, is doing everything she can to keep her own company afloat. When both Velveteen Crush and the Reed-Whitmer Ballet Company win coveted spots on the Great American Talent Show, both Lillian and Izzy have a chance to win enough money to solve all their problems. Only issue? Right before the show they had a very memorable one night stand...

Karelia and Fay Stetz-Waters, a lovely queer couple who has been married over 20 years, said they wrote this book to give an interracial lesbian couple the happy ending they deserve but that is so often sorely lacking in literature. The result is such a great book: it's funny, sexy, and touching. Izzy hides under her stage persona, Blue Lenox, so she can forget about a tough childhood and all the hearts she's broken. Lillian refuses to get attached to anyone, focusing only on ballet due to maternal (and internal) pressure. (Gosh, our childhoods really mess us up, don't they?)

Izzy and Lillian are flawed, real characters, and it's easy to fall for them right away. They even fall for each other immediately, though these two can't admit it without some help from their friends! They are surrounded by a cast of lovable, diverse characters, between Lillian's all-black ballet company and Izzy's troupe. It's such a loving book with an emphasis on found friendship. The two groups compete in a series of increasingly crazy challenges in the reality talent competition while we also watch Izzy and Lillian struggling with their burgeoning attraction.

Overall, I loved this book. Diverse characters! Sexy times and wonderful chemistry! Fun reality show challenges! Definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in return for an unbiased review. Look for SECOND NIGHT STAND on 05/21/2024!!

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By the dark of the moon there's a fire in the night: THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE.

The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A hyped novel that lives up to it all. FIRE is such a powerful story based on real life events--a fire that occurred in a theater in Richmond in 1811. I tend to shy away from historical fiction, but I was captivated by the tale of four characters, each of whom are in the theater when the fire starts. We hear from Sally Henry Campbell, attending with her sister; Jack, a stagehand; Cecily, a slave there with her mistress; and Gilbert, a blacksmith and slave dreaming of a better life.

FIRE is incredibly sad but so realistic; it made the time period real for me in a way that history books just can't. The absolute injustice of slavery is on full display, as we see how Cecily is assaulted and abused by her master's son, while Gilbert and his wife live separately, dreaming of buying their freedom and having a life together.

There's also a focus on strength of women, of all kinds, as we see Sally's absolute horror and shock at how many women are left behind to die in the theater, and how she decides to react to that realization. Beanland writes these characters so well: I was attached to each and totally captivated by their journeys. 4+ stars.


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We always caught each other when we'd fall: A HAPPY CATASTROPHE.

A Happy Catastrophe by Maddie Dawson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Despite its somewhat happy title, A HAPPY CATASTROPHE covers serious topics and delves into the dark places of relationships. It's also the second in a series with reoccurring characters; I didn't read the first book and while I figured this one out, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had known all the backstory. Marnie and Patrick get a bit of "surprise" from the past in the form of Fritzie. This both hurts and overjoys Marnie, because she's yearning to be a mom, and makes life difficult for Patrick, who is a very closed off person.

Fritzie is a delight, if a somewhat cliched precocious child, but even her situation is depressing, as she's left behind by her mother. She's still a funny, spunky kid and her journey was probably my favorite. Patrick has justifiable reasons for his emotional damage, but is an incredibly frustrating individual. The book focuses on the message that life has a way of working out, and while that's a wonderful thought, it perhaps gives a little too much credence to the "ways of the universe" and positive thinking versus acknowledging that sometimes life can be unfair, and you know, maybe a person could just use a little therapy. 3 stars.

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And maybe your resurgence is the greatest triumph that you'll know: JUST FOR THE SUMMER.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Justin's known for helping women find their soulmates--as in, after they break up with him, they find "the one." And thanks to Reddit, everyone knows his story. The same thing seems to happen to Emma, so she messages him on Reddit to relate. Before they know it, the two are formulating a plan: they'll date for a bit and then break up, thereby guaranteeing each will find their soulmate.

Suddenly, Emma, a travel nurse, is in Minnesota with her best friend Maddie, where they're living on a small, impractical island. Maddie is the only one who sees through Emma's unresolved trauma and baggage from her difficult childhood, so when Emma's mom shows up, Maddie wants to protect her friend. Justin, meanwhile, is trying to deal with the newfound stress of raising his three younger siblings.

SUMMER covers a bunch of serious topics, ranging from Emma's attachment issues and depression to Justin's siblings and their struggles, but does so in a funny and enjoyable way. Emma and Justin are flawed, sure, and you find yourself frustrated with them, but also able to forgive, because (gasp) these characters are real, with actual backstories, personalities, and foibles that give them reasons for their feelings. Suddenly, the "issues" that pop up in other romances seem like cardboard.

Justin and Emma's chemistry is off the charts, but thankfully there's no instalove here: they converse online first and spend plenty of time getting to know each other. It's impossible not to fall for Justin's sweet nature or root for Emma to settle down. Even better, there are some serious laugh-out-loud moments here, with both Emma and Justin, but also the side characters. Justin's mom and her best friend, for instance, crackle with energy and humor (one word: raccoons). This book just makes you feel happy.

It's impossible to truly sum up this novel, but it's a gorgeous love story steeped in humor and real life. Jimenez's writing is flawless. 4.5+ stars.

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Everything else just fades so fast: A KILLER IN THE FAMILY.

A Killer in the Family by Gytha Lodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A timely mystery rooted in DNA

DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are busy investigating what appears to be a serial killer setting women on fire. The "Bonfire Killer" preys upon women in their mid-40s out alone. Aisling Cooley finds this disturbing, but she's slightly distracted trying to single parent her two teenage sons and worrying about keeping them financially afloat. She's also haunted by memories of her father, who left her family when she was young.

KILLER is an excellent whodunnit, revolving around the modern theory of DNA and tracking criminals via genealogy websites. Aisling uploads her DNA to a popular site, hoping to match with her father. Instead, Jonah and his team show up on her doorstep, saying a relative of hers has matched to evidence from the Bonfire Killer murders. Aisling must grapple with the fact that either one of her beloved boys or her long-lost father is a killer.

Lodge's story moves quickly, filled with a wide variety of suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. It weaves in Aisling's story and background, including her struggle as a single mom and as a daughter abandoned by her father, with perspectives from DCI Sheen and his team. Domnall especially shines in this one, with his detailed research. This story stands alone, but reading the Sheens books in order allows you to see the nuanced characterizations Lodge has given to each. Steady, calm, Sheens who is struggling in his unhappy marriage is my favorite, but it was wonderful to see more of Domnall. And there's kind, intelligent Ben plus Juliette, who is still learning, but has suffered at the hands of an abusive ex, who are excellent, with their own detailed backstories and personalities. The entire team seems so real (and lovable). There's a cliffhanger ending that means we need another book, ASAP!

Overall, a well-plotted and timely police procedural, featuring an excellent and lovable cast of characters.

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

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Watching everyone around get there before I do: LITTLE SISTER.

Little Sister by Gytha Lodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riveting thriller about missing sisters

DCI Jonah Sheens is enjoying a day outside when a teen stumbles out of the woods, covered in blood. Keely tells him he needs to look for her younger sister, Nina. Jonah and his team discover that Keely and Nina went missing from their care home and have a tangled past in care. He brings in Keely to find out where Nina is, but she insists on starting from the beginning of their story.

This is a dark tale, told in a compelling narrative, alternating between Keely's story and Jonah and his team investigating on their own. This ratchets up the tension, as we slowly learn more from both sides, never sure exactly what it all means, or who to trust. The horrors of the foster care system are made abundantly clear, but Keely also comes across as cold and supremely manipulative. Is she telling the truth? As always, the dynamics around Jonah and his team are great. The result is a strong thriller that keeps you turning the pages.

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