We've come full circle, all the way 'round: THE THOROUGHBREDS.

The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series is so ridiculous yet incredibly bingeable. Centered around wealthy high school students at boarding school, it reads like a soap opera. Add in the constant name dropping of pop culture items and hot places and it can sometimes be a bit much.

But the Hilderbrand and Cunningham excel at pulling you into the story--and while there's fluff and intrigue, there's also heart. Rich kids are still people, and some of these kids are dealing with serious issues and topics. Many from book #1 are back, and I was particularly glad to see Charley and Davi again. We also have a new girl, Pippa, who is riling up the sixth-formers. Most of the teachers still seem a bit inept (looking at you, Rhode!) and poor Head of School Audre is making some bad decisions...

Still, I can't lie, I devoured this one like the guilty pleasure that it is, even if I rolled my eyes from time-to-time. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company in return for an unbiased review.

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Stumble in the void to find there's no one there: HOLLOW BONES.

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a quintessential Jodi Picoult book. It's filled with complex familial relationships and ties into tense subject matters. And, it's completely spellbinding, featuring her trademark twists.

Molly is the Chief of the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Rhode Island Department of Health. It's a mouthful of a title, especially for a young woman under 30. But thanks to COVID, she's been fast-tracked to her role. Molly loves being prepared and weighing the risks of basically everything. Her husband, Jesse, is older; an experienced detective and polygraphy expert. Molly lost her mom, Eloise, in the 9/11 attacks, and Jesse lost his sister when they were both teens. As a result, both Molly and Jesse are fearful of losing those they love. Their entire lives have been shaped by their loss and grief.

The story alternates between the past and present, allowing us to learn more about how Jesse and Molly met and then flashing back even further, to the events leading up to Eloise's death. The format is incredibly effective, especially with multiple POV changes, so you slowly learn more details about all our characters. It's good to go into this book with few details and just let the story happen.

As always, Picoult gives us a well-researched story, rife with facts and statistics about 9/11. She delves into tough topics, such as the post-COVID friction between the government and public health officials and the limited resources given to such organizations. She also gives us a strong portrayal of mental illness, particularly post partum psychosis--such an important and under-discussed diagnosis.

At its heart, this is a story about motherhood, family, and friendship. It illustrates how easy it is to fear losing those we love--and how tenuous life really can be. And it forces the reader to explore whether living in fear or living life fully is the best reaction to this fragility. 4+ stars.

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

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The windows of my soul are made of one way glass: LOVE ME LIKE A ROCK SONG.

Love Me Like a Rock Song: A Novel by Shelly Jay Shore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Shelly Jay Shore's writing and how they always come up with original stories that expertly portray queer Jewish identity.


Singer-songwriter Delilah has just had her wedding called off by her fiancée, Sam. Complicating things is the fact that she and Sam work together as a well-known musical duo. About to record her own solo album (filled with love songs about Sam), Delilah decides to take their planned honeymoon solo and use the time to write a whole new record. As she begins, she picks up a hitchhiker: Emmett. But Emmett just happens to be a golem, a creature from Jewish folklore made out of clay and designed to serve their master. Emmett's master is now dead and they have been ordered to return to their origins (aka disappear).


It sounds wild but Shelly Jay Shore has the ability to make the mystical both believable and fun. The more time Delilah and Emmett spend together, the closer they become. The story explores Delilah's history of mania, deftly looking into how mental illness can affect relationships (and life).


This is such a wonderfully queer story--with many of their road trip stops, the duo explore queer landmarks, meet other queer people, and immerse themselves in queer stories. As they do, Emmett comes to learn more about themself, unearthing an identity hidden by years of serving a harsh master.


Shelly Jay Shore gives us a captivating and complex queer story that explores Jewish identify and folklore, the concept of places as memory, and the importance of self-acceptance. Delilah and Emmett are not your typical couple, but this book benefits from its original storytelling that still captures humanity at its heart.


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

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When this world feels crazy I'll always fight for you: WHERE HE LEFT ME.

Where He Left Me: A Novel by Nicole Baart
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I couldn't put this tense read down!

Sadie, a professor and aspiring writer, and her husband, Felix, an astronomer, move to his childhood home--a dilapidated place in the middle of nowhere, as part of their sabbatical. The house is old, filled with memories of Felix's unhappy childhood, and isolated. When Felix doesn't return home from a business trip, Sadie has no idea what to do, especially as a major storm looms. Then she spots weird images on the security cameras and soon, strangers show up in her greenhouse.

As the storm intensifies, Sadie must try to survive--and find Felix. Doing so unearths some secrets about her husband that she may not want to know.

This is such a well-written story that's part mystery, part character-driven tale. It's incredibly claustrophobic, with the snow sealing Sadie in her home. Both she and the reader feel trapped and slightly terrified. The tension ratchets up at the book goes on, with secrets and surprises piling on. Yet this story is touching at times, with emotion at its core.

I really enjoyed this creepy and suspenseful yet fascinating thriller.

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

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You don't even know who I am: THE PERFECT HOSTS.

The Perfect Hosts by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want a wild ride of a thriller, THE PERFECT HOSTS fits the bill.

It starts off with an explosion at an over-the-top gender reveal and just keeps going.

Madeline and Wes Drake run Lone Tree Ranch. Their gender reveal party goes terribly wrong, resulting in the death of a close friend.

Agent Jamie Saldano is sent to the tiny town of Nightjar to investigate--but Jamie has his own mysterious ties to Nightjar. Add in a couple of surprise visitors to Lone Tree Ranch, and you have the perfect recipe for a crazy mystery.

Go in blind to this one -- sure, it's a little preposterous at times, but it's also twisty, maniacal, and fun!

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

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Remembеr me happy when you remember what was: ALL THE LIES WE SEE.

All The Lies We See by Christina McDonald
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Another excellent entry in the Jess Lambert series.

Jess is a grieving mom and dedicated cop--she's trying to continue living since the death of her young daughter, Isla, which occurred while Jess was driving. She's a recovering alcoholic and slowly rekindling her marriage to her husband, Mac. Jess hopes the trial of a local woman, Melanie, will help provide her closure--she partially holds Melanie responsible for the accident with Isla.

But, overnight everything changes on Jess again. After learning that Melanie has cut a plea deal, she wakes up in a strange hotel room. She feels as if she was drugged--and soon she realizes that there's a viral video circulating of her murdering Melanie. Jess, who depends on her instincts and investigation abilities, feels helpless--she has no memory of the night and no idea how to prove her innocence.

As with most of this series, this is a raw and emotional book about grief. This story adds in the theme of revenge and what it takes to move on, or to seek forgiveness. This is a particularly personal investigation for Jess--she has to exonerate herself while confronting more demons about Isla's death. Melanie is truly a horrible woman, and be prepared for a dark and gruesome read.

Jess quickly realizes that current events may be tied to her last case before Isla died--the disappearance of a young woman, Cece, who has since passed away. Because Jess has the special ability to sometimes see the dead, including Isla, and now Cece, the young woman tries to help her find the truth.

As always, McDonalds gives us a well-written story with flawed, nuanced characters and intricate storylines. We delve more into Jess' relationship with her ex-husband Mac, her feelings about Isla's death, and her attempts to be a better person and reconcile her grief.

In addition, the book makes excellent and timely points about how AI can make it impossible to tell the difference between reality and alternate, faked perspectives. How can anyone--included trained professionals--trust their instincts in the world of AI, the story asks? It's a great question, and a scary one.

An excellent mystery--definitely recommended.

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

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Got a strange sense of deja vu: THE MISSED CONNECTION.

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sasha has had a rough go of it, but she's getting back in the game at work. That same adage doesn't apply to her romantic life: she's not interested in dating. But on flight to Paris, she has a magical connection with "Seat F," a charming man who makes Sasha feel as if there could be something between them. Unfortunately, they part ways before exchanging names and contact information.

Sasha turns to Wes, a private detective who helped her in the past. Wes is no longer a PI, but he agrees to help. Sasha and Wes once had their own fleeting connection--a sizzling chemistry that they now try to squash, but it just keeps rising to the surface.

In fact, Sasha and Wes' chemistry just keeps popping up--over and over. I enjoyed this book, but it feels as if pieces of the plot are rehashed a few times too many. We cover how Wes rescued Sasha in the past, but she's searching for the new guy; Wes can't commit to anything and is a bit of a hot mess (he's running a food truck now, you see), but oh their chemistry--rinse and repeat.

One of the best aspects of this story is the coverage of Sasha's anxiety disorder, which is done thoughtfully and fairly. It affects many of her decisions, and the author treats anxiety honestly and respectfully, as well as using it to flesh out Sasha's backstory.

MISSING CONNECTION is a bit mystery, bit romance. At times, I wanted to shake Sasha--why was she so obsessed with this plane guy? Some of the avenues taken to find him seemed ridiculous, making the whole tale a bit far fetched. I did enjoy Sasha and Wes' chemistry and the character development is pretty well-done. There's also a cameo from Ricki Wilde's husband that made me grin. 3.5 stars.

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

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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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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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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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It's midnight on the highway I'm coming back for you: CALLER UNKNOWN.

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a slightly different one. Half thriller, half treatise on motherhood.

Simone leaves the U.K. to visit her daughter Lucy in Texas. She wakes up after her first night there and discovers Lucy is gone. She soon finds a burner phone in Lucy's place and realizes her daughter has been kidnapped. A message on the phone warns that Simone should not involve the police. Her husband wants her to call them anyway, but Simone refuses, going rogue to save Lucy, especially when she realizes that the kidnapper doesn't want money.

It's a captivating plot, but unfortunately it starts to border on preposterous fairly early on. Simone and Lucy make some insane decisions and are unwilling to listen to reason (e.g., lawyers, family). Much of the book focuses on Simone's fears of Lucy going to university, portraying her (justifiably) as a clingy mother unwilling to let her only child go. She thinks she loves Lucy more than her husband does, and makes statements on how mothers love kids best or children need two parents. It just wasn't necessary and the story spent much too much time focusing on it.

There are some good twists here and the plot is tense, but marred by annoyed decisions and outlandish developments. Add in Simone's crazy ramblings about motherhood and a plot that wraps up too easily and this is a decent read, but not a great one.

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

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Same things keeping us together are the very ones making it hard: MEET THE NEWMANS.

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this is an interesting one. The Newman family--dad Del, mom Dinah, and sons Guy and Shep--are a real family. But they also appear on TV every week, playing themselves, as the perfect family.

Behind the scenes, things aren't so perfect. Del rules over the family with an iron fist, Dinah feels lost and numb, Guy is hiding his love life, and Shep may be going off the rails. Around them, the show's ratings are tanking and sponsors are running for the hills.

When Del is in a car accident that puts him a coma, Dinah snaps in action. She starts courting new sponsors and hires reporter Juliet Dunne to help her write the show's final episode.

At times, this story makes amazing points about feminism, women's rights, and more. At other points, it just seems like a group of people bickering about silly things. Juliet and Dinah, for instance--an unlikely pair who constantly fight and then reunite--often have a very annoying relationship.

My favorite was easily Guy, the beleaguered older brother who finally gets a chance to shine--both romantically and professionally--without his father around.

As Dinah steps up with Del (literally) out of commission, she starts to realize how imbalanced the world is, with power tipping all toward men. She and Juliet both see women being ignored and lost behind their male counterparts.

Even though the story takes place in the mid-1960s, the scary part is how Juliet and Dinah's story resonates now. Juliet wakes Dinah up to women's terrifying inability to have control over their own bodies, for instance being unable to buy the pill or condoms (without a husband's consent, or at all, if single), or get an abortion. We've come so far, you think, and then wonder... are we going back?

This ode to TV, family, and love is a different sort of read--funny at times, serious at others. It makes you laugh and think.


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And for making me smile when things at home weren't great: GIRL NEXT DOOR.

Girl Next Door: A Hilarious Sapphic Rom-Com Brimming with Secrets, Yearning, and Heart by Rachel Meredith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a cute romantic comedy about MC, a freelance writer, whose best friend, Joe, encourages her to write an article about the current "It" book floating around, Girl Next Door. Why, you ask? Because Joe is convinced that the book's anonymous author is MC's old neighbor and the love interest is based on... MC. Joe, a writer at a popular publication, wants MC to reveal the author, Nora, to save his job.

If you are okay with this somewhat skeevy premise, the rest of the book is fine. Joe is a pretty awful friend, and MC has pretty much no ability to stand up for herself in any fashion! Sure, I'll return home and live with my brother and his wife and stalk Nora for you, Joe! I think I like Nora, but I'll risk ruining her life--and therefore mine--for you, Joe!

Nora and MC's "romance" (I wouldn't call it a romance, more of an awkward dance around one another) is sweet and can be funny. MC's family plays a pretty big role in the book--her brother is the local principal and he's married to MC's first crush, Gabby (seriously). It's often more a character and family study than a romance.

Overall, I think I might have enjoyed the book Nora supposedly wrote more than this one. Lots of secrets and bad decisions, but it's still witty.

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

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And brought me back from being too far gone: BARBED WIRE HEART.

Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, what a brutal, violent story--but one that will completely capture your attention.

Harley McKenna has been raised by her crime boss, backwoods drug dealer dad, Duke McKenna, since the death of her mom. He's isolated her and kept her tough and hard, just like daddy, to take over his businesses (meth, running guns, etc.) one day. No one messes with Duke McKenna, or his baby girl.

The McKennas have always warred with the Springfields. Carl Springfield murdered Harley's mom, changing the entire path of her life. Now that she's coming of age, it seems like they are coming for Harley too. Harley feels like she only has one option: to (literally) burn down everything her father has built to make her world (and the town) safe again.

Sharpe tells Harley's story in a very effective "now and then" format, but it also sometimes made me want to scream, because I needed to know what was happening now... NOW!

This is a violent story, filled with plenty of killing and abuse. There's a side story about the Rubies, a group of women who Harley tries to protect from domestic abuse. Sharpe does an excellent job of illustrating how women can be attacked, yes, but also how they are often underestimated and overlooked, leading them to overtake men.

Overall, this story runs a bit long, but I still found it incredibly compelling (and dark). I listened to part of it via audio while driving to another state for work, but wouldn't recommend it--the audio is nothing special and it's hard to differentiate amongst the characters.


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Everything's tougher than it has to be: BOTH THINGS ARE TRUE.

Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Vanessa is happy as a yoga influencer (apparently those exist), but feels unsure about her future with her cryptocurrency fiancé. But any happiness and her romantic future ends when her fiancé and his company is involved in major, headline-drawing fraud. He flees the country, leaving her reputation in shatters too.

I have to admit it felt like time was going backwards reading this book. The more I read, the more it felt like was left. It never ended. Vanessa is a rather insufferable main character. She's the absolute worst communicator, with no ability to be a grownup in anyway. Ha, I'm always late, ha, I run on my bad knee and wonder why it doesn't heal, ha I sit around and cry to my sister, who has her own problems... it was endless. There's also much yoga talk. Just too much.

At the same time, nothing happens, just the occasional teasing encounter with Sam, her old boyfriend (technically ex-husband, the two married in Vegas and then hastily split). Sam now magically lives in her building, but has his life together, and is about to launch his own company. Association with Vanessa could taint his company's debut forever, so Sam is hesitant about reuniting. (I would have run too, Sam. I liked Sam. Poor Sam.)

Vanessa turns things around, of course, but by then, it's pretty hard to care about her. There's also very little explanation or follow-up about once major plot points, such as what happens with the fiancé and his fraud.

Overall, this was not a winner for me. 2.5 stars.

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

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Watching everyone around get there before I do: WISH YOU WERE HER.

Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicoll
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I need to come to terms that Elle McNicoll books and me are not compatible!

Famous actress Allegra Brooks, age 18, wants one normal summer, so she escapes to Lake Pristine to spend the summer with her dad at his bookstore. Once there, she meets Jonah Brooks, who is helping run the town's annual Book Festival. Jonah immediately insults her and then spends much of his time avoiding her.

Meanwhile, Allegra is emailing an anonymous person at the bookstore, whom she knows has to be Jonah's co-worker. Allegra is autistic--something she's never shared with her fans--and she feels like this anonymous pen pal just gets it, gets her.

WISH YOU WERE HER hits us over the head with the idea that its two main characters are autistic. I love stories about neurodivergence, love seeing familiar traits reflected in the stories I read, but this topic deserves to be woven into a story, not just thrown in readers' faces over and over. Show us, don't tell us. Repeatedly.

As for Jonah, he was very hard to like, even with his own character influenced by his autism. He seemed to like Allegra only because she was pretty, and the two's "instalove" feeling was chalked up to... wait... wait... oh my gosh, if you guessed autism, you're right!

There was a gaggle of townspeople, but most were not redeemable besides teenage Grace and a reappearance from Jasper, who is the MC in a previous McNicoll book. Allegra's father even holds a ridiculous grudge against Jonah for the silliest reason... honestly I just have to stop listing all the reasons this book was frustrating.

There's a cute lake setting and some fun book references. I respect the attempt to include autism in the story, but it would be better to acknowledge that autism is just one part of a person, not their entire entity.

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

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One day, she's looking over her shoulder at the past: MISSING SISTER.

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twins Penny and Nix grew up incredibly close, but Penny lost Nix to a drug addiction. Nix's last voicemail has haunted Penny for five years. Now Penny's a rookie cop, hoping to save others from Nix's fate. But on one of her early training cases, she recognizes the victim as one of the men she blames for her sister's death. While on scene, she comes across a woman covered in blood, a weapon by her side.

Incredulously (seriously, it seems a shocking way to start this book!), Penny lets the woman go, thinking her whispered "sisters" has ties to Nix. She pockets the box cutter this woman was holding and lies to her training officers and fellow cops. The woman vanishes, but of course, Penny's behavior is suspicious, leading to a suspension.

What follows is a story that focuses both on Penny's feelings about Nix's passing and the death of the man she blames for Nix's death. A few of the outcomes seem a bit obvious but other twists are excellent and surprising. This is a dark and gory story, with a focus on the dangers of drug addiction. It also delves into sisterhood and the complicated feelings that family can dredge up.

Penny is a tough woman, even if she makes some questionable decisions. Her love for Nix shines through the story, giving it added depth and dimension. This is a complicated, dark, and twisty tale.

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

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Freeze frames in time move through me: STRANGERS IN A VILLA.

Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very dramatic thriller set in picturesque Spain!

After Sydney's husband, Curtis, cheats on her, the two decide to leave their life in New York City behind and buy a Spanish villa. They hope a new house and location will allow them to start fresh and focus on their marriage. But then a young couple shows up and destroys their peace--Bianca and Damian, two Aussies, are traveling in their camper van when it breaks down outside the villa. At first, the group gets along well (with the exception of Curtis, who resents the intrusion), but soon, cracks begin to form.

This is an interesting book--the tension builds slowly, and it feels like a locked room mystery at time, with both couples mainly trapped in the villa. As such, Harding does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic feel. There's a strange forced sexual tension between the group, which made me feel awkward. Lies and secrets abound, with information gradually revealed across various perspectives, and ratcheting up the mystery and suspense.

Be prepared for a tale that takes some dark turns and centers on often quite selfish and unhappy people. It's a good quick read though, and one which will keep you guessing. 3.5 stars, rounded up here.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in return for an unbiased review. Look for STRANGERS IN THE VILLA on 03/03/2026!

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Time that you notice the girl next door: JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME.

Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Be prepared, this is a quirky and sometimes weird story, but it's truly quite touching.

Twins Joy and Cassie grew up believing they were from the future. Isolated, with most of their life occurring at the family's laundromat, they know little about the real world. So when their mom, Joy, dies shortly after their 21st birthday--right after the twins realize they aren't returning to the future as promised, their lives are turned upside down.

This book has such a fun cast of characters, despite mainly taking place at the laundromat -- we meet the three other business owners who share the laundromat's building -- and each play such an important role in the story. My favorite was Monty, the locksmith who was madly in love with Joy. Each character bounces off the pages, pulling you into the strange world of Joy Moody and her children.

This is a lovely story, touching on the importance of found family, and delving deeply into the powerful bonds of motherhood and what you would do for those you love. While not a conventional read, it's a poignant, well-written one.

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

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In silence, my darkness is denied: THE FUTURE SAINTS.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It seems as if books about bands are a dime a dozen lately, but Winstead's latest offers a unique twist on the premise.

When we first meet The Future Saints, they are in fairly bad shape, overdue on an album owed to their label and giving drunken concerts. Their label, Manifest, sends in the "Fixer," Theo, to try to get the band back on track--and record their long overdue album (before dropping them).
Soon some performances go viral, as does their new sound--a darker type of rock influenced by the death of their manager, Ginny, who was also the sister of their lead singer, Hannah.

Theo quickly finds himself caught up in the lives of the band. He realizes how talented Hannah and her bandmates are, despite the self-destructive bent. Hannah's drowning in grief over Ginny's death, resulting in amazing music but intense pressure on the band.

The resulting story is raw and an intense look at the power of sisterhood and friendship. It explores the debilitating effects of grief without pulling any punches. Theo and Hannah grow closer, but the specter of Ginny's death hovers over everyone and every decision. How do you move on after losing someone so dear to you--and at what point do you move on when someone you love is not willing to help themselves? The book asks these hard questions and many more. It's unflinching yet tender and while the characters can sometimes be frustrating, it's a good read.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE FUTURE SAINTS on 01/20/2026!

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