I'm here again, but I'm all alone: MORE OR LESS MADDY.

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Oh this book is so well-done, but so hard to read. College student Maddy has always felt different from her posh Connecticut family. The college clinic puts Maddy on an anti-depressant, which unknowingly triggers her, spinning her into mania. Maddy soon learns that she has bipolar disorder, which will require strict management for the rest of her life.

This book is incredibly stressful, but very accurate, making you feel as if you're a part of Maddy's brain. It's an outstanding portrait of bipolar disorder and the depression associated with it. You can feel Maddy's moods as she cycles through the highs and lows and how difficult her bipolar makes her life. Genova captures Maddy's despair and how it affects both her and her family, as well as the stigma, embarrassment, and illness that comes with the illness.

We follow Maddy through several manic and depressive episodes and hospitalizations. It is of note that while they place high expectations on her, her monied family also means Maddy has access to care and treatment that others might not. Maddy's story is painful and sad, but also hopeful. This is an insightful and realistic look into mental illness. Please note a major trigger warning for multiple things such as cutting, depression, mania, and suicidal thoughts. It can also be very hard to read if you, or someone you love, has suffered from mental illness.


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Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay: THEY NEVER LEARN.

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading Layne Fargo's THE FAVORITES, I had to read THEY NEVER LEARN! I absolutely love that Fargo can write two books that are so different, although they both share strong female characters.

THEY NEVER LEARN is diabolical, and I am here for it!

This isn’t a mystery in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a razor-sharp, unapologetic thriller that gives us a serial killer who owns her actions without remorse. The story unfolds from two perspectives at Gorman University: Dr. Scarlett Clark, a brilliant English professor with a deadly secret, and Carly, a timid freshman just trying to navigate college life.

Scarlett isn’t just teaching literature—she’s also an avenger of sorts, quietly eliminating men who prey on women. If you assault, stalk, or hurt someone on her campus, you just might find yourself on her list. But after her latest kill, her carefully curated world starts to shake. Fellow professor Dr. Mina Pierce is beginning to connect the dots between the string of "suicides" and "accidents," and Scarlett, ever the strategist, decides to get close to Mina—both to manipulate the investigation and for reasons far more personal. Meanwhile, she sets her sights on one of her most ambitious targets yet.

Carly, on the other hand, is a shy, introverted student just trying to fly under the radar—until her popular roommate, Allison, takes her under her wing. Their friendship helps Carly come out of her shell, but when Allison is assaulted at a party, Carly finds herself consumed by the desire for justice—or maybe something darker.

Fargo masterfully builds tension, weaving these two narratives into a propulsive, edge-of-your-seat read. THEY NEVER LEARN isn’t just a gripping thriller—it’s also deeply character-driven, making us question how far one should go to right a wrong. While we may not agree with a murderer, we just might understand her. The novel boldly tackles important issues like sexual harassment and assault, shedding light on how often these crimes are ignored or dismissed, especially in academic settings.

It’s dark, it’s delicious, and it’s impossible to put down. If you love a thriller with a razor-sharp edge and complex, morally gray characters, this one is a must-read. 4+ stars!

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Wake up one day, you find that everything had turned to dust: ONE PERFECT COUPLE.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agatha Christie's book AND THEN THERE WERE NONE is one of my all-time favorites, so I was fascinated to see this modern take on it. I wasn't expecting a lot, but this was actually an enjoyable read!

Lyla is upset when her post-doctoral research doesn't pan out, leaving her potentially jobless. That's about the only reason she would consider her actor boyfriend Nico's ridiculous desire to go on a reality show, THE PERFECT COUPLE, where couples compete in various challenges on a far-off island.

To Lyla, the show seems questionable at best, with five couples being sent to a half-constructed island and filmed and watched over by a skeleton crew. They only make it through the first challenge, eliminating one contestant and leaving the remaining members upset, when a storm decimates the island. Suddenly, they've lost contact with the crew, some contestants are dead, others injured, and for the rest: it's a new challenge--survive, for real, or they're all dead.

Locked island mystery doesn't do this book justice; it's incredibly captivating in the way it explores group dynamics and the psyches of people faced with imminent death. This is a quick read that draws you in, both through the exciting narrative; diary snippets that make you question said narrative's validity; and descriptions of radio calls from the island.

COUPLE delves into the power of social media and reality TV and the effects of "car crash TV" on society. It's quite a thriller, with some great twists, but an excellent examination of character as well.

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We could go back, rewind and play it again: SIDELINED.

Sidelined by Suzanne Baltsar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a simplistic but fun sports romance about a female high school football coach and the (male) Offensive Coordinator who resents her. Charlie, the daughter of a well-known college coach, wants to be known for her coaching skills on her own terms, so she seeks a job as a high school football coach. This angers the town and the team, and their OC, Connor McGuire, who was sure the head coach spot was his.

There's a lot of "oh my gosh she's a woman, look at her curves and body but really I'm not mad she got the job because she's a woman, just because I deserved it more" whining in the beginning, but we eventually push past this for a fairly charming and quick read.

Charlie is a fun protagonist--she knows her stuff as a football coach; it's the rest of life (female friendships, dating) where she struggles. Once Connor gets his head out of his rear, he's likable enough; he's dealing with recovering from an old ex and needing to open up. The story gets progressively better as we get to know our couple, along with their shared group of friends.

The writing isn't always the crispest, but the story illustrates the inequality women face when battling men in the same fields and the struggles women like Charlie face in a male-dominated field: even when they are better than the men around them. I always love a book with a good sports backdrop, and high school football is fun, especially as Charlie's team tries to win states.

There's some witty banter between Charlie and Connor and a bit of sexual tension, but this is a very PG romance. We see both Charlie and Connor grow a bit as people, root for the local team, and get to enjoy our feisty couple.

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All my roads, they lead to you: THE PARADISE PROBLEM.

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This is a typical fun, free-spirited Christina Lauren romance, as we watch Anna Green and Liam Weston live out a somewhat "fake" dating scheme, despite being, in fact, legally married. Anna and Liam marry in university--on paper only--to secure cheap housing. Unbeknownst to Anna, they remain married: she fails to read detailed papers from Liam that she thinks are for their divorce. Liam, the son and heir to a wealthy grocery store chain, knows he'll inherit his trust if he fulfills its weird clause: marry and remain so for five years.

But when Liam's family somehow finally force him to bring his wife to a family event (his younger sister Charlie's wedding), he has to turn up at Anna's apartment, come clean, and beg her to travel with him to a secluded island and play happy couple. Broke and recently unemployed, Anna reluctantly agrees, since Liam will pay her a hefty sum. (I get that Liam was on the outs with his family, but seriously, no one thought it was weird not to see his wife for nearly five years?)

Of course, once on the island, the two discover that, despite their differences, they have a mutual attraction. There's much drama with Liam's family, most of whom are pretty awful, and a lot of craziness related to the legal aspects of the trust. Watching his family spend obscene amounts of money isn't all that fun (even if the book sometimes tries to make that exact point). Liam and Anna have crackling chemistry, but the whole thing always feels a bit weird, since he's paying her a lot of money to be there.

This is a cute romance, with some fun sexy scenes and playful banter, though some of the premise feels a bit flat. It's still quite enjoyable, and I grew to love Anna and Liam. 3.5 stars.

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I'm the center of attention in the walls inside my head: MY DARLING GIRL.

My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "possessed by a demon"

Alison had a horrible childhood, growing up with an abusive, alcoholic mother, Mavis, who made her life miserable. She survived, going on to marry her cheerful husband, Mark, with whom she has two children, teenage Izzy and young Olivia. When Mavis' assistant reaches out with the news that Mavis is dying of cancer and wants to spend her final days with family, Alison is torn. She finally agrees, dreaming of closure with her mother. But when strange things start happening, Alison is convinced her mom is the cause.

This was such an eerie book! Even better, it's set around the Christmas holidays, making all the terrifying events even more awful against the backdrop of holiday pageants and movies and cookies. Alison is clearly (justifiably) traumatized by her childhood, leaving us to wonder if her suspicions toward her mother are true, or just paranoia. These feelings of paranoia weave across the story as weirder and creepier incidents occur once Mavis arrives at Alison's house. Alison begins to suspect her mother is not who she seems, going so far to wonder if she's possessed by a demon.

The plot sounds far fetched, but works surprisingly well. McMahon, as always, creates expert creepy, crackling tension. It's easy to fly through the pages of this one. The cast of characters is limited, but intriguing, and there's the dynamic of wondering whether Alison remembers her childhood correctly and then what exactly is happening with Mavis. The result is a terrifying, spooky read that also explores the issues of motherhood and family. 4 stars.

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Since you wrote me off with a call: SOMETHING WILDER

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As the daughter of famous treasure hunter Duke Wilder, Lily has no patience for it. But with her father dead and bills to pay, she has to use his name (and maps) to lead treasure hunting tours for tourists. Imagine her surprise when her first love, Leo Grady, shows up with a group of friends for a tour. She hasn't seen Leo since he disappeared on her years ago. But when Leo and his friends' tour goes wildly awry, Leo and Lily have to work together just to stay alive.

So this book was not what I was expecting. Think very weird treasure hunt with death and injuries, with some sex and romance thrown in on the side. I never could quite connect with Lily and Leo like I have with many other CLo couples. The camping/treasure hunt gone amok side plot was a lot. It definitely seemed to overshadow Leo and Lily's story. And while I get that the treasure hunting was supposed to be sort of fun and silly, sometimes it was... not.

That's not to say that WILDER is necessarily bad, and I'm sure this book will appeal to a lot of people. It just wasn't my favorite of the Christina Lauren books and was a bit odd. 3 stars.

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

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She woke up with hope, but she only found tears: THE CHILDREN ON THE HILL.

The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1978, Violet and Eric live in Vermont with their grandmother. To them, she's just Gran, but to others, she's the famous Dr. Helen Hildreth, a psychiatrist well-known for her work with the mentally ill. She does her work at the Hillside Inn, a massive facility next to their home. One day she brings home a patient, Iris, a scared and feral child. Violet and Eric bring her into their "Monster Club," where they catalog monsters and watch for them around the property. The three do everything together, including meeting at their clubhouse and hunting monsters--because they are everywhere. Cut to 2019, where Lizzy Shelly, the host of the podcast Monsters Among Us, travels to Vermont to investigate the disappearance of a teen. Lizzy knows that bad things can happen and monsters are very real--including her own sister.

This dark and brooding novel caught my interest right away. McMahon (always a favorite author of mine) presents a really different story here. It's told via excerpts from a book by a journalist written in 1980; excerpts from the book of monsters written by Violet, Eric, and Iris in 1978; Lizzy in 2019; Violet in 1978; and "the monster." This may sound like a lot but McMahon weaves together all the various storylines seamlessly. The chapters are short and between those and the varied format, the book is quite captivating.

I guessed one of the twists fairly early, but enjoyed reading to see if I was right. CHILDREN delves into some intense topics, especially mental health awareness, but also the meaning of sisterhood and family. The idea of monsters is complex--both the spooky kind and the kind that are true evil. I really enjoyed reading about the dichotomy.

Overall, this book is unique and delves into the meaning of evil and how it comes to be. It's dark and twisty and an enjoyable read. 4 stars.

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


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Cause one key opens my front door: THE PERFECT FAMILY.

The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

A tense look at a family pushed to the brink

The Adler family looks perfect to outsiders. Good jobs for husband Thomas and wife Viv, two lovely children in Eli and Tarryn, and a gorgeous home. But things begin to crack when they wake up one morning and find that gorgeous home covered in eggs. They are sure it was just a prank by some neighborhood kids. But it's followed by a smoke bomb, punctured tires, and more. Thomas sets up cameras, but they only catch shadows. The police offer little help. As things escalate with each supposed prank, the family grows more and more fearful. Especially because every family member is keeping a secret--and as the violence against them grows, the secrets only get worse.

"But the people who lived there only looked perfect. They had done horrible things."

This is definitely a page-turner with some twists. There's a lot going on in THE PERFECT FAMILY--each family member has secrets and lies. It's an interesting premise, that dark secrets can pull everyone apart, even entire families. I was always expecting just a little bit more: a slightly bigger secret or surprise than what happened here. Still, the book offers an excellent commentary on keeping secrets and putting pressure on your children. It was difficult to find a character to root for, though the two Adler children were certainly sympathetic. I also found the ending to lack a bit of resolution.

"I realized that everyone in my family had secrets. And mine might be the worst of all."

Overall, though, this mystery offers thrills and twists. While it wasn't perfect (ha) for me, I enjoyed it. It's not my favorite Robyn Harding book, but it's worth a read. The twisted dynamics of the Adler family are intriguing and often terrifying, especially as the suspense ramps up. 3.5 stars.

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

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My mind wanders where it will: HEARTBREAK FOR HIRE.

Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A wreck of a romance

Brinkley Saunders tells everyone she works as an administrative assistant. But she really works at
Heartbreak for Hire, an undercover operation that specializes in a variety of revenge schemes for jilted lovers, annoyed coworkers, and more. She dropped out of grad school in the aftermath of a disastrous relationship--much to the despair of her mother--but the job helps Brinkley save for her dream of opening her own art gallery. However, when her boss Margo announces she's hiring male Heartbreakers for the first time, Brinkley starts questioning her purpose, especially when one of the new hires is a target she was paid to take down. Markus Cavanaugh is an adjunct anthropology professor at University of Chicago. He doesn't seem like the backstabbing academic she was told to go after... and as she gets to know Markus more and continues to question her role as a Heartbreaker, Brinkley realizes a lot of things aren't what they seem.

"I had my career, my cat, control. The Three C's of avoiding that hopeless cycle of loving someone who didn't love me back."

I feel awful, but this book just did not work for me at all. I almost didn't finish it, but I really try to complete all my ARCs. Ironically I hated most of it except the end, which was actually pretty good. But most of this one had me cringing. Brinkley's job is terrible and makes no sense--I couldn't even see how Heartbreakers and the division of "Egos, Players, Cheaters, and Grifters" would even possibly translate to the real world. Her boss is absolutely awful.

"If we trained men to break women's hearts, what did that say about our mission? What did that say about us?"

The book is filled with ridiculous contrived fights and plot-lines, and I didn't buy the relationship between her and Markus at all. They like each other, hate each other, rinse and repeat, with a bunch of silly "twists" thrown in over and over to keep them apart. Do something and stop whining (this applies equally to them both). It was just boring and stupid, and I couldn't handle all the bad decisions. If there's going to be conflict, I want it to be realistic, and if there's going to be romance, I want to buy into the couple and feel a genuine affection toward them. But with everyone being so hateful to each other, an entire profession created toward tearing people down, and a bunch of random contrived obstacles thrown up to keep Markus and Brinkley apart... I just couldn't handle it.

A lot of other people enjoyed this one far more than me, so hopefully you will too.

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

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Put our favorite music on and hold each other close: UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY.

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

A heartfelt romance set in North Carolina

Amelia Saxton, a journalist, has just published a personal story in "Modern Love" discussing her own modern marriage with her husband Thad, talking about how happy they are in their life filled with travel and their decision not to have children. That same day she discovers Thad is cheating on her--with another man. Devastated, Amelia's life is completely upended and she wonders if she can ever trust again. While researching another story, she finds out that some embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife, Greer, have been deemed "abandoned." Parker had a love for the ages with Greer, but Amelia--the literal girl next door--was his first love. He had forgotten about the embryos, but once he hears Amelia's news, he wants to become a single father via surrogate. As Amelia and Parker each return home to Cape Carolina to deal with their own grief, they find comfort in their friendship.

"People always think being loved will change them. But that's not true. It's really, truly loving--with the kind of love you couldn't take away even if you wanted to--that turns you inside out."

This book had an interesting plot idea--the whole embryo idea has the possibility to become icky, but overall Woodson Harvey pulls it off. I have been through IVF and dealt with frozen embryo decisions myself, so the book certainly hit home. The story is told via Parker and Amelia's present-day perspectives and interspersed with excerpts from Greer's journals. The North Carolina setting is atmospheric and takes on a life of its own.

At times, this tale is kind of silly and all over the place, but it's a very easy read. The characters are also easy-to-like, and I grew to care a lot about both Parker and Amelia. It's a fun and romantic tale, with just about everyone tied together in various ways. There are meddling moms, family secrets, and drama with Parker's brother. All of this makes the book quite a page-turner, which is at turns sweet and heartbreaking. 3.75 stars.

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Wanna get back to the simple things with you: THE SOULMATE EQUATION.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A witty & wonderful romance!!

Jess Davis is a single mom who loves crunching numbers almost as much as she loves her daughter Juno and her grandparents. They are her entire world and honestly, she doesn't have a lot of desire to step back into the dating world. It's just so much work. Then Jess and her best friend, Fizzy, hear about GenticAlly, a new dating site that predicts love through your DNA. Matchmaking through genetics and numbers? Jess could get behind that. But it's not until she's had a particularly bad, lonely day that she agrees to send in a sample. Suddenly she finds out she's matched with GeneticAlly's founder, Dr. River Pena at an unheard sky-high percentage of 98% compatibility. However, Jess is immediately skeptical because she knows River. And he's a pompous jerk. But River and GeneticAlly have a proposition for Jess. Go out with River, get to know him, and they'll pay her for her time. For struggling Jess, this is something she has to consider. As the two go to dinner and do press for GeneticAlly, Jess starts to see a different side of River--one that makes her wonder if there's something to this DNA matching idea after all.

"Her life, which essentially existed in a four-block radius, was exceedingly manageable as it was."

Oh this book was so good!! I love Christina Lauren's books, and I was already intrigued by the idea of a DNA matchmaking book. Well, THE SOULMATE EQUATION did not disappoint! It's sweet and funny and interesting--I loved it!

SOULMATE has wonderful banter--that patented CLo banter--between River and Jess, but also Jess and Fizzy. Jess is a statistician and Fizzy a romance writer and they spend many of their days in a coffee shop, "working." Their friendship is next level good and freaking hilarious. Honestly, it's one of the best parts of the book. So is Jess' relationship with her grandparents, who basically raised her after her mom, who struggled with addiction, left. And then there's Juno, the cute precocious kid, who shows up asking funny questions and making you chuckle. The cast of characters is top notch, for sure. I loved how well Jess' family was woven into the story.

As for River and Jess, their chemistry is superb. They start off on the wrong foot, with River coming across as a jerk, but it's not anything too terrible, which is good, because I can't handle the "hate to love" scenarios when the "hate" seems impossible for anyone to actually overcome. Instead, River is a nuanced character with his own backstory and personality. He's consumed by the science of relationships but too busy being a genius doctor workaholic to have one. And sweet Jess, you can't help but root for her: the tired mom who lacks the energy to even try to date anymore. There's lots of science and numbers, but nothing crazy for us non-mathematicians, and honestly, the genetics aspect is pretty fascinating. (Is this really possible, world?) I saw a bit of the big twist plot point coming, but it in no way diminished my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, this was a great read. Funny, witty, and heartfelt. Great couple with awesome chemistry. Wonderful cast of characters (Fizzy needs her own book!). The entire book made me smile--definitely recommend! 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for it on 5/18/2021!

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The blood in you is the blood in me: THE DROWNING KIND.

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Haunting tale of sisters and familial dysfunction

Sisters Jax and Lexie grew up spending summers at their grandmother's home, Sparrow Crest. But the two have grown apart over the last year, with Jax upset that Lexie inherited Sparrow Crest. When she receives a series of calls from her sister one night, she assumes they are part of Lexie's bipolar illness. But Jax learns the next day that Lexie is dead, having drowned in the pool at Sparrow Crest. Once there, Jax realizes Lexie was researching the property's dark history, much of it tied to the springs that feed Sparrow Crest's pool. She picks up her sister's research, but soon stumbles on a terrible history tied to the water. Meanwhile, back in 1929, Ethel Monroe is newly married and hoping for a baby. She and her husband head to the Brandenburg Springs Hotel and Resort. There, the owner's wife tells Ethel the springs can grant wishes. Ethel makes her wish, never knowing the spring takes for everything it gives.

I really enjoy Jennifer McMahon's books and while this probably wasn't up there with THE INVITED or BURNTOWN for me, it's certainly an eerie and atmospheric read. I can tell you one thing: I would not set a foot anywhere near those creepy, black springs. Wishes or not!

"There are very old stories about the springs. Some say it's a door between worlds."

THE DROWNING KIND alternates between present day, as Jax tries to figure out what happened to Lexie, and the 1920s/1930s, as Ethel and her husband, Will, visit the Brandenburg Springs Hotel and Resort and grapple with the aftermath of their trip. I liked the back and forth, which slowly revealed important plot pieces. This isn't a fast-moving book and not a lot really happens, per se. Setting aside Ethel's portion, it takes place over only a few days. If you're looking for a fast moving thriller, this one probably isn't for you. But it's spooky and tense and honestly chilling at times. The water (springs) becomes its own living, breathing, creepy character.

This one is like a puzzle, moving between the past and present, and a bit of mild horror film, trying to figure out what on earth is going on with the water. (No baths for me while reading this.) It grapples with the decisions we must make as parents--and sisters. The bond between Jax and Lexie is strong, even with Lexie drowned and the sisters estranged.

Overall, this is a very haunting, eerie read, steeped in history and familial tension. It's certainly scary, but it's also packs emotional depth. 3.5 stars, rounded up here. (Trigger warning for self-harm.)

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press in return for an unbiased review.

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K, A to Z Challenge: KATERINA.

Katerina by James Frey
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

A muddled faux memoir posing as fiction

This is the eleventh book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Jay leaves college, determined to become a writer, and heads to Paris. There he meets a young model, Katerina, and falls in love. Twenty-five years later, Jay is a writer--famous and rich--but he's lost his way. Then he receives a message from a lost love. The message draws him back to memories of his old life and his old loves.

Years ago, James Frey dazzled me with A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard. I loved those books so much, and while I was aware of some of the controversy surrounding Pieces, I don't think I fully grasped it. Katerina is a strange book--a memoir type story hidden as a novel that loosely covers Frey's life, including the time he wrote a novel that was sort of a memoir. Following? Confused? Me too.

I thought Katerina was a book, fiction, but it's really Frey's retelling of his life, trying to cast himself as a sympathetic character (I think? Jay doesn't exactly come across as all that likeable.). It did intrigue me enough to read up more on the past controversies of his life and truly, the end result was that I didn't care for Katerina all that much, and I felt disillusioned about Pieces, a book I really enjoyed. Sigh.

Katerina uses the same stream of consciousness writing style from Pieces, and if you don't want your writing filled with profanity and sex, I wouldn't go near Katerina with a ten-foot pole. There's drinking--so much drinking here--that it physically pained me at times. It's an emotional read--Frey excels at that--and there are some twists. I won't lie, I found it interesting at times, and narcissistic and boring at others. Jay is hard to like in the past and present (the book splits it time between the two), but I do not think Frey cares, and it covers Frey's scandals lightly disguised as Jay's.

It's a beautiful love letter to Paris; the descriptions of the city are wonderful. There's no real characterization of Jay's beloved Katerina (the person), though, and many descriptions are just repetitive. The ending comes up quickly, as well.

Overall, while I found pieces of this novel engaging, I was disappointed overall. Honestly, I'll probably never be able to capture the magic I found in Frey's early works. 2.5 stars.

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Feels like the glass might break: DO NO HARM.

Do No Harm by Christina McDonald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A dark look into how far a mother would go to save her child

After a tough childhood, where she was orphaned and spent time in foster care, Emma finally has the life she's always wanted. A successful doctor, she has a loving husband, Nate, and a young son, Josh. But that all stands to change when Josh, who is only five, is diagnosed with leukemia. Even with her hospital insurance, Josh's potential life-saving treatment will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Determined to save Josh no matter what, Emma makes the decision to sell opioids. Her choice puts her directly against Nate, a local police officer, who is investigating the death of a potential drug dealer. Emma will do anything to save Josh--does that include murder?

"I felt like I'd been dropped down a rabbit hole with the wolf sitting right outside. And the wolf was my husband."

This is a brutal dark read that pulls you into Emma and Nate's dilemma immediately. Personally, I found it hard to read about Josh's illness. I have a difficult time with books about kids being sick. But, McDonald is an excellent writer, and she does a wonderful job portraying stricken parents, pushed to the brink, who would do anything for their child. For Emma, it's turning to selling drugs. For Nate, it's working constantly to solve his current case, which means a promotion that could brings additional money for their family. The story is told from each of their perspectives, ratcheting up the tension with each chapter.

Emma, it seems, really has no limits on what she would do for Josh. McDonald makes the reader question: how far would you go to save your child? The book also offers a nuanced perspective on the opioid crisis, versus the usual "drugs bad" stance we get in many novels, which I appreciated. The entire novel makes you think and question standard perspectives in so many ways. It turns good versus evil and right versus wrong on its heels. And it offers a dark and insightful look into drug addiction and chronic pain and how families support each other (or don't).

Overall, this isn't an easy read, but it's a well-written and compelling one. It's timely, with an excellent perspective on the drug problems facing Americans and leaves the reader questioning much about right versus wrong. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Gallery Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It is available on 2/16/2021.


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We could do some damage somewhere else instead: LITTLE CRUELTIES.

Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

William, Brian, and Luke Drumm--three boys each born a year apart. William becomes a successful movie producer. Luke, a famous singer. And Brian, the steady middle brother, watches over careers, money, and their mother. But none of the brothers are as successful and happy as they appear--scarred by their traumatic childhood and their constant attempts to gain the attention of their mother. Now, the brothers are gathered together again: but only two are alive.

"All three of the Drumm brothers were at the funeral. But only one of them was in the coffin."

I made a lot of mistakes with this book. First, I thought I loved Liz Nugent, but then I realized I had her confused with another writer, and that I've never read any of her books. Next, I thought this would be more of a true, suspenseful mystery. It is not.

I feel bad, but this book was not for me. It started out slowly and just never got better. The plot drags on and on. While it is somewhat a mystery about a dead brother (which Drumm has died?), it's mostly a character-driven tale about three awful brothers. Because these three men are terrible and despicable, and I found it nearly impossible to become interested in them or their stories.

The book is told in chunks--from the perspective of each brother. Within their parts, their stories go back and forth in time. It's hard to keep track of the passing of time, especially as the book progresses.

This novel could provide in-depth perspective on mental illness and the impact our parents can have on our lives, but so much of that nuance gets lost in our characters and their abject hatefulness. There is little redemption to be had here. I had twinges of sympathies for the brothers, but, at times, I wasn't sure I would care if they were dead. They are truly evil sometimes.

Overall, this book just didn't work for me. I wasn't interested in the characters, and I wanted this to be a different type of story. Many others found this much more captivating and enjoyed the character driven style, so it may work better for you. 2 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Gallery/Scout Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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Do you think it's one big accident: IN A HOLIDAZE.

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A joyful and flirty holiday romance

Maelyn Jones spends every Christmas at her favorite place in the world: a cabin owned by her parents' friends in Utah. She joins her (divorced) parents, younger brother Miles, and two other families for a magical Christmas experience--cookie baking, snow creature making contests, holiday scavenger hunts, and more. She's been sleeping in the basement in the "kid bunk beds" with Miles and family friends Theo and Andrew for years, despite the fact that they are adults now. But this year, it's all ruined: their friends are selling the cabin and Mae is humiliated after an embarrassing encounter with Theo. As her family drives away from the cabin one last time, she makes a desperate plea for happiness. Then she sees a car headed straight toward theirs, and it all goes black. When she awakes, she's back on a plane headed to Utah, headed to the same holiday trip. As various disasters return Mae to the plane over and over, she realizes she's in a time loop--she needs to break free, and figure out to find true love and happiness, once and for all.

"So I ask the universe, simply: Can you show me what will make me happy?"

I know I must have read this synopsis when I requested this book, but I didn't reread it before starting, because hello, CLo, enough said. So I was slightly surprised by the Groundhog Day-esque story to this one, but I went with the flow. Luckily Mae is funny and charming enough to make just about anything fly, even a crazy time loop plot where you're not exactly sure how or why she's in it or quite what she's supposed to do to get out of it.

"'I think it's possible I'm in the past, repeating the same holiday, and I'm the only one who knows it.'"

It took a little while for the romance to heat up here, but once it did, the book was off and running. And boom! It's a sweet read, but flirty and romantic too. I loved Mae and her crush--they crackled and simmered. Honestly, the time loop piece was secondary to their joyful love. Seeing Mae come into her own made everything else less important, including Mae's reliving of her holiday. (And I enjoyed how she took to it so quickly--don't eat that, you're going to need this, tell me a secret so I can prove this to you next time--you go girl, embrace the loop!).

So, yes, while this book is a little crazy, it's also sweet and happy, too. It's a perfect Christmas read for a snowy day (or a fall day when you feel like the world is falling apart). 4 stars.

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

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I'm learning to like myself: THE SUMMER GIRLS.

The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Breezy summer vacation read

Marietta Muir--known to her granddaughters as Mamaw--is turning eighty. Her one wish is that those granddaughters, Dora, Carson, and Harper, return to her home, Sea Breeze, in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina for (unbeknownst to the girls) one last summer.

"Three granddaughters, three necklaces, three months... she thought to herself. This was the plan."

Each granddaughter is struggling in their own way, and no one is really prepared to spend the summer with Mamaw, besides Carson. Carson is broke, her career in shambles. Dora's marriage is falling apart. And Harper is struggling to distance herself from her controlling mother. Three sisters--each with the same father--find themselves together once again.

I had intended to read this book on a Florida beach vacation, which was canceled due to the pandemic. It made me miss the beach, with its lush descriptions of the South Carolina Low Country. Harper finds solace in the beach and a dolphin friend (yes, you read that right). The book is silly and cheesy, and exactly what I would have wanted to read while on my trip. I especially liked Carson and will eventually pick up the next in the series (each book is told from the perspective of a different sister). 3+ stars.

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Make everybody stare through me: THE SWAP.

The Swap by Robyn Harding

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

  A spellbinding and different read

Low Morrison grows up on an isolated island, known for its free-loving ways. Her parents take this to the next level, living a polyamorous life that leaves Low embarrassed, ashamed, and a social outcast. When she spots the beautiful Freya at her school, she's enthralled. She sees Freya hanging up signs for a pottery class and knows she must join. She's Freya's only student and quickly becomes besotted with her teacher. Freya has no problem sharing all of her secrets and desires with her young apprentice. That's until Freya meets Jamie, who owns a local shop in town. The two become quick friends, leaving Low feeling left out and an outcast once again. One night Freya and her husband Max invite Jamie and her husband Brian over for dinner; they have no idea a jealous Low is lurking in the shadows. The foursome partake in drugs and a crazy night occurs, changing their lives forever. It also gives Low a chance to hold something over their heads.

This was a slightly insane and improbable thriller that I sped through in an entire day. It was fast-paced and nearly impossible to put down, as you just knew the characters were hurtling toward disaster. It's filled with a variety of fairly unsympathetic characters, though I felt for Low, unwanted in her own busy family and toyed with by Freya, who cares only for herself.


"I'd had to share all my life. I was done with it."


The story is told from Low's perspective, along with Brian, Jamie, and Max. We never hear directly from Freya, whom all of these characters seem to hold on a pedestal. Why exactly, we can never be sure, as she seems self-centered and cruel, playing with and torturing each of them to get exactly what she wants.

I found this to be a spellbinding read--it pulls you in as only Harding can do. Low's obsession, Freya's narcissism, Jamie's naivete. We can sense it all combining into something propulsive and horrible.

Overall, while I didn't love this one quite as much as The Arrangement, Harding's previous novel, I still enjoyed it. It's a fast-paced and creepy read, plus it's different and fun. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book of this book from Gallery/Scout Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It is available on 6/23/2020.

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Be of good heart evermore: JOSH AND HAZEL'S GUIDE TO NOT DATING.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

My rating: 4+ of 5 stars


Hazel Bradford is a force of nature. She's a third grade teacher without a filter, and she comes with a variety of pets (including a parrot). As such, Hazel realizes most men she dates aren't usually prepared for, well, Hazel. Hazel has known Josh Im since college. The first time they met, she threw up on his shoes. Then she sent him an embarrassing email post-surgery. Josh is a steady, calm guy--not exactly up for Hazel's antics. But when they randomly meet ten years after college, he finds Hazel surprisingly refreshing. The two don't date of course--they aren't compatible, right? Instead, they set each other up on a series of insane double blind dates. Nothing could go wrong with that plan...


"Being near Hazel is like being in a room with a mini-cyclone."


I've read a variety of Christina Lauren novels by now, and this was one of my favorites. For a short minute, I thought Hazel was going to be too zany and over the top for me, and then I got to know her. I then fell in love with her, and I was immediately rooting for our caring, funny, and yes, sometimes, crazy heroine. The best part was that Josh was great in his own reliable, sweet way, too. There's nothing better than a romance where you care for both partners. They were an excellent couple, and I wanted nothing more than to see Josh and Hazel get together. The two had wonderful chemistry and the whole book just had me grinning goofily.

Josh and Hazel are both damaged and wary, but not in that annoying way that has you rolling your eyes and wishing they'd just get over it all. Josh's girlfriend has hurt him and Hazel is constantly passed over by guys who think she's too over the top. Neither deserve this pain, and you quickly want them to get together and be healed. Of course it isn't that easy. When they come up with the double date angle (but not dating each other), laughter ensues, as well as some heartbreak.

There aren't too many side characters in this one: the focus is on Hazel and Josh, but I really enjoyed Hazel's mom, as well as Josh's sister, Emily. And there's plenty of fun to be had with some of the folks we encounter on the blind dates. Josh and Hazel seem so real; our writing duo capture them quite well. Hazel's zest for life coupled with her vulnerability, for instance, shine brightly. And Josh, well, I just wanted to hug him sometimes.

In the end this a really fun, sweet book. It's humorous yet realistic and tender. I adored Hazel and Josh-they were one of my favorite couples in a while. 4+ stars.

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