The night's all that's left behind: THE MISSING HALF.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nic's life has been in complete disarray since the disappearance of her sister seven years ago. Everyone assumes her older sister, Kasey, is dead, after they found her car abandoned, her belongings still inside. Nic remains in the same dead-end job, living the same dead-end life. Then she meets Jenna, the one person who might understand what she's been through: Jenna's sister Jules disappeared two weeks before Kasey, under nearly the exact same circumstances. The two team up to figure out what happened to their sisters.

This is a well-written mystery that keeps you guessing to the very end. I was convinced I had it all figured out, but wow, I was wrong. It's twisty and incredibly dark, but also character-driven, as we watch Nic negotiate her sad life. Flowers does an excellent job of tying together so many disparate plot threads.

The hardest part of HALF is that Nic is quite unlikable and that personality trait only seems to increase as the book goes on. There is so much drinking in the story, even in the flashbacks, before Nic was 21. It's just dismal and depressing. And the ending was a disappointment for me after all I'd invested into the story; yes, it was twisty and shocking, but not quite how I wanted it all to turn out.

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This dirty place don't want you here: DEATH AT MORNING HOUSE.

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This YA mystery was a pleasant surprise for my 4th read of Pride Month!

While on a first date, Marlowe actually burns down a house (not hers! while house-sitting!). Humiliated, she leaves town to work at Morning House, a famous mansion on an island best known for housing the wealthy Ralston family. The family lived there happily in the 1930s until two of their children died tragically.

This book is just really fun -- told in Johnson's witty style via Marlowe's self-deprecating humor. We get the present day tale from Marlowe interspersed with snippets from members of the Ralston family leading up to the fateful day of loss. It's a very effective technique for building suspense, as I kept flipping the pages, wanting to know what was going to happen to Marlowe and what exactly struck the Ralstons.

Marlowe is just a lovable, awkward protagonist--dealing with leaving a potential girlfriend behind and now navigating a new friend group. All the other teens working at Morning House know one another and have a history, including the fairly recent loss of their friend, Chris.

Then the professor who was overseeing the teens--and doing research at Morning House--disappears and the tension ratchets up even more. Was it an accident, or something more sinister?

There's nothing wild or innovative here, but this is a really fun and suspenseful book with an awesome queer vibe. The switch between time periods really adds to the story. I loved this as a grown adult, but it would be great for its intended YA audience as well.


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Oh summer's almost over and I'm crying but I don't know why: HEART BONES.

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oh, I can't help it, sometimes I just need an addictive, palate-cleansing read. Enter: Colleen Hoover.

Beyah grew up dirt poor, "raised" by her addict mom. Her father was a shadowy figure in her life--paying their rent and known to Beyah only from the occasional visit. When Beyah's mom overdoses and dies, Beyah goes to live with her father in Texas. He's now remarried to a wealthy woman, living in a beach house by the ocean, with a stepdaughter.

In Texas, Beyah meets Samson, her father's next door neighbor. In Samson, she recognizes another damaged soul, even if he is wealthy. Despite putting up walls her entire life, Beyah can't resist Samson, nor he her.

This story is cheesy and addictive, but it's crazily impossible to put down. Both Beyah and Samson are keeping secrets, and we slowly learn Samson's over the course of the story. There's just something about their intense relationship. Beyah also forges new bonds with her dad and stepsister, Sara, who is close to her age. It's corny at times, but also a story about trusting yourself, finding your person, and how powerful it is to be believed in.

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Because time and love remember: JANE & EDWARD.

Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! As a devoted fan of Jane Eyre, I was eager to see how a modern reimagining would unfold—and Jane & Edward did not disappoint.

While the novel follows the essence of the classic story, it doesn’t rigidly adhere to it, which works beautifully. Our Jane is a resilient foster kid scraping by as a waitress while attending night school, determined to build a better future as a legal assistant. When she lands a coveted job at a prestigious Toronto law firm, she quickly discovers that her new boss is none other than Edward Rosen—the formidable, notoriously feared partner of the firm. But unlike everyone else, Jane isn’t intimidated. She’s faced far worse in life, and Edward, for all his gruffness, seems intrigued by her unwavering spirit. Naturally, secrets lurk in the background, threatening to keep them apart.

The novel cleverly weaves in nods to the original—there’s an "attic" of sorts (the upper floors of the building), an Adele (a fellow assistant who befriends Jane), and other subtle parallels. But where Jane & Edward truly shines is in the undeniable chemistry between its leads. Their dynamic crackles with tension—sharp banter, smoldering glances, and electric moments that leap off the page. Jane remains as independent and strong-willed as ever, carving her own path despite the challenges she faces. Meanwhile, Edward is every bit the brooding, complex figure we love, harboring secrets and depths that make him utterly captivating.

I was completely hooked by the fiery connection between Jane and Edward, but what I loved most was Jane’s unshakable strength and resilience. If you’re a Jane Eyre fan, you’ll absolutely adore this take—but even if you’re simply looking for a compelling romance, this is a must-read. 4.5 stars!

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See a pearl form a diamond in the rough: THE STAND-IN.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute romance about a regular girl falling for a famous guy.

This is one of my favorite tropes, so I was really excited to read this book. After getting fired, Gracie Reed reluctantly agrees to serve as a stand-in for famous Chinese actress, Wei Fangli, who needs someone to appear as her at various engagements. And, with some primping, Gracie is a ringer for Fangli. The only issue is that she'll be babysat by Fangli's best friend, the handsome but annoying actor Sam Yao. Gracie needs the money Fangli promises to help her mom, who has Alzheimer's, and requires expensive care.

What follows is a fun, sometimes convoluted story, as timid Gracie attempts to come into her own while impersonating Fangli and slowly falling for Sam. THE STAND-IN deals with a lot of topics--sometimes well, sometimes a little rushed. But there's also movie premieres and romantic gestures!

Gracie is a sweet character, and the book does a wonderful job of exploring her biracial identity, and how she often feels less for being half Chinese and not knowing which world she fits in. Gracie grows as she tries to stand up for herself, finding she almost enjoys being in the spotlight, but her constant vacillation about the morality of the scheme can be a bit much.

Sam and Gracie's chemistry is a tough one. Gracie is immediately drawn to Sam's handsomeness. While they do eventually spend some time talking, it never truly feels like the two have a deeper connection. Considering that Sam dislikes being thought of as just a pretty face, it's frustrating to not see more here--more banter, more chemistry, more tension.

The book focuses on mental health issues (panic attacks, depression), sexual harassment, and Alzheimer's, as well as the personas stars must put forth to the public. Gracie's love for her mom is palatable, and Chu deftly highlights how hard it is to have a parent with dementia. At times, the whole "stars have problems like us" angle is pushed a little too hard. There's also an entire side plot revolving around Gracie creating a productivity app; it did not seem necessary, but I enjoyed that she had her own thing.

Overall, even with some issues, this story makes you smile. It's cute and shows the strong influence of family, whether good or bad. 3.5 stars.

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