How do you count all the stars in the sky: BEGIN AGAIN.

Begin Again by Emma Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andie Rose always needs a plan. And her current one seems flawless. Transfer from her community college to Blue Ridge State to be with her long-time boyfriend Connor, major in psychology, and get her life back on track. But as soon as she arrives at Blue Ridge, a major crack hits: Connor has transferred from Blue Ridge to be with her. Oops. Blue Ridge is tough academically. Andie needs a campus job. And her new roommate Shay needs a major, which Andie is struggling with, despite her reputation as someone who can fix anyone's problems... except maybe her own.

So this is cute and fun, for sure. Not my favorite Emma Lord (that is still TWEET CUTE) but a very good read nonetheless. I spent half the book trying to figure out if Blue Ridge was a stand-in for UVA, so I need some mental health help of my own. Andie certainly came with her own set of issues, but don't we all? Her mom passed away when she was young and then her dad basically bailed, leaving her in the care of two sweet, silly grandmas. Sure, they took care of her, but wouldn't that give you a bit of a complex, too? Blue Ridge is where Andie's parents met and fell in love, so she's dealing with that extra heaping of pressure.

The highlights in this book are the friend groups. I loved AGAIN's message about finding yourself and finding your friend family in college (or anywhere). Shay, Andie's roommate, is great, as is Valeria, another friend. And Andie's R.A., Milo, is wonderful--along with his extended family that seems to lurk at every place in Blue Ridge, including the local bagel shop. Andie and Milo's relationship is a slow burner, but it's a good one, and like a lot of Emma Lord relationships, it's really hard not to get behind it. They are just so darn... perfect. Milo has lost his dad; we know Andie has lost her mom, and the book does a strong job of exploring grief and how losing a parent affects your ability to trust. (We will just ignore the whole side plot with Connor, because frankly, he's not worth our time.)

This one felt a bit repetitive off and on--Andie is obsessed with earning these school ribbons, for example, because her parents did--that are tied to club events at the school and sometimes that all felt too much. For someone who loves to give advice, you wanted to shake her from time to time for her decision-making. There's a broadcasting/radio angle that seemed like it would be too much, but actually turned out to be perfect.

Overall, BEGIN AGAIN is chaotic and probably not one bit reflective of my college experience, but it's sweet and touching and full of charm and humor. There are representative characters and a couple you can root for--sometimes there's not much more you need, right? 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 here.

I received a copy of this book from Wednesday Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for BEGIN AGAIN on 01/24/2023!!

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Without you, I'd be the kind of lost that's hard to find: 6 TIMES WE ALMOST KISSED.

6 Times We Almost Kissed by Tess Sharpe
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Penny and Tate have always been in each other's lives, thanks to their best friend moms. But Penny's mom, Lottie, checked out once Penny's father died. And Anna, Tate's mom, has battled cancer and is now facing another illness. When Lottie offers Anna part of her liver to help, the girls are thrust together even more, as the families will be moving in together to facilitate everything. The only problem: Penny and Tate seem to nearly kiss when in intense situations. What will happen when they live in the same house?

This is way more than the lighthearted YA love story that the title gives off. It's a gorgeous yet oft-heartbreaking examination of grief, trauma, mental health, healthcare, friendship, parenting, and more. Penny and Tate are real, flawed characters who have been dealt a terrible hand in life and are just trying to survive.

The book is told in a back and forth format--the present day focuses on Anna and Lottie's operations and the aftermath. In the past, we examine all of Penny and Tate's important moments--and near kisses. We see two girls struggling to get by in a rural, small town. There's Penny, who is coping after having lost her beloved father in a terrible way--and then losing her mother to grief as well. And Tate, who has spent most of her life worrying about her sick mom. Both have taken on the burden of caring for their family, the finances, and more. Luckily, they have one strong figure in Penny's gran, Marion, who is a wonderful lady.

Every character in this story flies up from the page, thanks to Sharpe's writing which... there are no words, really. The writing in this book is vivid, stunning, and painful. This is one of the best written books--it's strong and gorgeous with tension and heartbreak searing across every page.

Overall, this is a beautiful story of two girls trying to find their way in the world--and to find love. It's amazing, and I highly recommend it for teens and adults alike. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for 6 TIMES on 1/24/2023!!

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Say hello to friends you know: JUST THE NICEST COUPLE.

Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lily is a math teacher--exhausted by spending her days teaching math to teenagers. Her husband, Christian, a market analyst, is especially worried about her as she's pregnant again after several miscarriages. One day he comes home to find Lily staring out into the backyard--and she tells him of an encounter at a local forest preserve with the husband of her close friend, Nina, also a teacher. Nina's husband, Jake Hayes, is a surgeon. And now he's missing.

Honestly, this was a strange thriller. It seemed to be told from a weird simplistic writing style that often felt repetitive--yes, we know Lily is pregnant. Yes we know Christian would do anything to protect Lily. Yes Nina's mom is suffering from an illness, etc. It's hard to explain, but I felt like I was reading the same snippets over and over.

Basically, Lily feels she did something, Christian goes all wild trying to protect her, Jake is missing, and Nina freaks out, because they fought before he disappeared. Who is telling the truth--anyone, everyone? Christian irritated me with his impulsive doltish ways, Nina needed to stand up for herself, and even Lily got to me after a while. And Jake seemed to have no redeeming qualities and could stay missing for all I cared. One of the twists was a pretty decent surprise; the other one not so much. An odd read overall. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Park Row in return for an unbiased review. Look for it on 1/10/2023!

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Next year all our troubles will be out of sight: ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS.

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A year ago, Isabelle Drake was asleep when her toddler, Mason, was taken from his crib in the middle of the night and never seen again. Isabelle's life in total shambles--she can barely sleep; she and her husband, Ben, have split up; and she spends her days obsessively going over Mason's case, trying to find any leads. When speaking a true crime convention, she meets a podcaster, Waylon, who shows interest in Mason and his disappearance. But talking to Waylon brings up unsettling memories from Isabelle's own childhood--and stokes her fears that she is responsible for what happened to Mason.

This was a compelling thriller, if not a rather depressing and dark read. It really shines a light on the societal pressure new mothers and women face, including a look at post-partum depression--looking at both Isabelle and going in flashbacks to her own mother. I found it sad and tense to read about her feelings as a new mom, because Willingham really did a great job of capturing the sense of isolation, fear, and failure that new parents can often face. This is not an easy book to read, especially as a parent. As Isabelle's sleep deprivation grows and you are not sure how trustworthy she is an narrator, the book becomes even more stressful.

It's funny; overall, I had an idea of "who did it" fairly early on, but it did not diminish my enjoyment of the story at all. The character of Waylon was a good introduction (the book can slow down a bit when it focuses just on Isabelle), as were the snippets giving us a look at Isabelle's childhood. Overall, a mesmerizing and gripping tale.

I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THINGS on 1/10/2023!

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That's the only love I get: THE LESBIANA'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Yamilet Flores and her younger brother, Cesar, are headed to a new school--a very white, very wealthy Catholic school. Yami does not look forward to being one of the few Mexican kids at the school, but she'd do anything for her brother, a great student who was being bullied at their last school. Besides, she's glad to leave behind her ex-best friend who outed her and made her life miserable. Her new goals are to keep Cesar out of trouble and to appear straight. But the latter is pretty difficult when Yami meets Bo, the one openly queer girl at her new school. Bo is smart, funny, talented, and really cute. Yami knows her mom will kick her out if she comes out--but she really, really likes Bo.

This is a really powerful and moving story led by Yami's unique voice. It starts out a little slow and seemed like it might get mired in being too melodramatic and YA, but it picks up very quickly.

I loved sweet Yami and Cesar, Bo, and all their friends. My heart went out to Yami and Cesar, struggling as kids of color and Yami working through her sexuality. The book did a really good job of showing how hard it is for teens who do not have a supportive structure at home--and how truly terrifying it can be to be gay or bi without parental support and love. The fear of being kicked out for so many teens is real, as is being bullied and hurt.

GUIDE did a wonderful job being true to Yami and Cesar's culture and showing how isolated they felt at school. There's also a wonderful plot with Bo, who is adopted, and grappling with how her parents are handling her own native culture. I really loved how the book dealt with so many serious topics. At some times, it felt like maybe it had picked too many topics, but it really does a good job overall.

This is a brutal book to read at points. There is a trigger warning for mental health and suicide. GUIDE is not afraid to get into heavy topics, but it also makes a point that these subjects are ones that gay teens are dealing with every single day of their lives.

Overall, this is a really amazing book. I loved Yami, Cesar, and Bo. I wish the story had not wrapped up quite so easily--I'm not sure how realistic that was--but I really loved it nonetheless. 4.5 stars.


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I shout it out to the night: THE BODYGUARD.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tiny Hannah Brooks doesn't look like an Executive Protection Agent (or bodyguard), but that's exactly what she is. And she's good at it. Her firm has been assigned to guard superstar actor Jack Stapleton from a recent threat. Jack is well-known, but has been laying low for a couple of years after a loss in the family. His mom is sick now, though, and he's heading home to their Texas ranch. Worried about protecting her, he doesn't want the family knowing about the threat (or the bodyguard). Enter Hannah, who will have to pretend to be Jack's girlfriend while actually keeping him safe. And what would you know? Stuck out there on that ranch, being Jack's girlfriend doesn't seem so bad.

This read is cheesy at times, but truly very charming too. Even I found Jack Stapleton dreamy! His family is completely adorable, especially his sweet mom, and it was hard not to fall for all of them. Hannah is a tough cookie trying to figure out life after a terrible ex (who frankly deserves everything he gets). She has her annoying moments, but you have to love her too.

The female bodyguard angle here is really fun and something different. And, I mean, it's always enjoyable to read about hot actors and the celebrity world, right? You feel like you're being let into a secret space. This one had a little bit of a wild ending, but it was a fun, quick read and exactly what I needed and expected from a romance.

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

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Whisper it's all right in my ear.

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Emily is struggling to finish her latest book after a prolonged illness and a recent breakup with her husband. Her childhood best friend, Chess, is also an author: well-known for her life brand and self-help books. When Chess offers Emily the chance for the two of them to spend time at an Italian villa, Emily agrees, even if the pair are not as close as they once were. The Villa Aestas was once known as the Villa Rosato and, in the early 1970s, rented by rock star Noel Gordon. Noel invited another musician, Pierce Sheldon, and his girlfriend, Mari, to join him at the Villa--but the summer ended in disaster-with Pierce's murder. It also led to Mari writing a famous horror novel and her stepsister, Lara, composing a famous album.

This was an intriguing one for sure. It's certainly a page-turner, and I flew through it pretty quickly. There are stories within stories within stories with THE VILLA--Emily and Chess in the present day; Mari, Noel, Pierce, and Lara in the 1970s; and then the book Mari is writing while she stays at the Villa as well. There are some journals Mari left behind and Lara's songs. Eventually Emily and Chess start to write about the 70s, too, and whew... Trusting all the stories and narrators here is nearly impossible, but it's what keeps the book moving and interesting.

The twisty Italian setting is fun, with the gothic Villa becoming nearly its own character. I was fascinated by Mari and her life and intrigued somewhat by Emily and Chess (but truly found the 1970s characters to be the stars). No one in the tale exactly comes across as lovable, but they certainly make for a dark and suspenseful read. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE VILLA on 1/03/2023!

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I see what's missing in your eyes: I'M THE GIRL.

I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At sixteen, Georgia Avis has big dreams, but she's held back by a life of poverty. While walking alongside the road, she discovers the body of thirteen-year-old Ashley James, the daughter of the local sheriff. Georgia is hit by a car during everything, and her memories of the incident are jumbled. But she teams up with Ashley's older sister, Nora, to try to figure out what happened. All trails seem to lead to Aspera, a beautiful resort where Georgia's late mother once worked.

Ugh, I feel terrible as I love Courtney Summers, but this one just didn't work for me. Her writing is as lyrical and gorgeous as ever, but I didn't care for the plot, which dragged and had a lot of issues. I really enjoyed the writing in this book, that there was a queer relationship between Georgia and Nora, and that it featured a mystery to solve. The rest of it... not so much.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Nora and Georgia has no depth. It's thrown at us, but we see no development with them, or really any other characters in the book. I wanted to care about them--and everyone else--but it was hard. Georgia honestly came across as frustrating beyond words. Her decisions made me want to scream. Aspera--this strange, fancy resort--and its owners--loom over Georgia's life. She's obsessed with it, but we are never sure why, and her focus on working there is borderline insanity. So many of the problems in this book could have been avoided if everyone would have just been honest with each other from the beginning (including Georgia's family)--this is a huge pet peeve of mine in literature.

GIRL bills itself as a cautionary story about the power of the wealthy and the power males hold over women, but it adds nothing new. If it's focused on sexism and patriarchy, Georgia does not seem to want to fight those things--if anything, she lets things happen to her and spends a lot of time caring what the men around her think of her. Again-this just adds to the confusing angle of Georgia and Nora's relationship.

Overall, I had a hard time caring about any of the characters or the story here. It was confusing, seemed full of plot holes, and then, after everything, gave us a vague ending. So frustrating. 2 stars for me, but many others liked it more.

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



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Best of... My favorite books read in 2022!

I read 130 books this year (please note these are just books read in 2022, not necessarily published in 2022). I narrowed down my favorites by genre and have summarized them all below. You can find full reviews on my Goodreads page. Here's to a great reading year in 2023!!

 

YA

When You Get the Chance - Millie Price has never known her mom. But when she decides to go to arts college against his wishes, she starts searching for her. With the help of some angsty entries from her Dad's Livejournal, circa 2003, she narrows her search down to three women: Beth, Farrah, and Steph. While tracking them down, she gets an internship that she has to share with Oliver, her high school nemesis. Witty, romantic, and delightful! Millie is utterly bewitching--an amazing character that you cannot help but love.I loved this "enemies to more" romance--it was cute, filled with humor and great banter and serious moments.This is a delightful book--such a beautiful ode to family and theater. 

This Golden State - Poppy does not know her parents' real names, or why they have been on the run her entire life. She just knows something really bad would happen if they got caught.When they move to CA, things seem different. She mails in a DNA test, not realizing the true consequences of her actions--and grows close to a classmate. Totally mesmerizing read!! The family dynamic is complicated and complex, but interwoven so delicately. Weisenberg also makes some timely and intriguing points about our digital footprint and how DNA can link people together. Such a riveting read.  

Home Field Advantage - In Atherton TX, football is life. So when their late quarterback is replaced by a girl (who knew Jack Walsh was really Jaclyn Walsh?!!), the team and the cheerleaders are ready to revolt. Even worse, Jack is actually better than Robbie--Atherton is poised to finally win! This makes it hard for Amber McCloud, whose dreams (and college scholarships) are tied up in being cheer captain next year. Such a fun and sweet read while still covering serious topics such as coming out and homophobia. This book made me smile goofily even while it dealt with important subjects. And it gave us a great queer romance!!  

This Wicked Fate - second book in a great duology. Briseis has grown up a lot since learning how her family, descendants of Medea, are tasked with guarding the Absyrtus Heart--a plant that just happens to be incredibly deadly. A wonderful, queer mythical fantasy adventure that will completely sweep you off your feet! Bri is one of my absolute favorite heroines in YA literature. The writing is gorgeous, Bri is smart, funny, and bi (!), and while the books are amazing fantasy reads they also cover serious topics in a wonderful way. Stunning series.  

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School - Yamilet Flores and her younger brother, Cesar, are headed to a new very white, very wealthy Catholic school where they will be a handful of the Mexican kids. But Yami is glad to leave behind her ex-best friend who outed her and made her life miserable. Her new goals are to keep Cesar out of trouble and to appear straight. A really powerful and moving story led by Yami's unique voice. Not afraid to get into heavy topics, but it also makes a point that these subjects are ones that gay teens are dealing with every single day of their lives. 

 6 Times We Almost Kissed - Penny and Tate have always been in each other's lives, thanks to their best friend moms. But Penny's mom, Lottie, checked out once Penny's father died. And Anna, Tate's mom, has battled cancer and is now facing another illness. Now Lottie is giving part of her liver to Anna and the families are moving in together. All well and good, except Penny and Tate seem to nearly kiss in intense situations.A gorgeous yet oft-heartbreaking examination of grief, trauma, mental health, healthcare, friendship, parenting, and more. Every character in this story flies up from the page, thanks to Sharpe's vivid writing. Beautiful story of two girls trying to find their way in the world--and to find love. [2023 release]  

MYSTERY/THRILLER  

The Overnight Guest -  Years ago, at this isolated Iowa farmhouse true crime writer Wylie is renting, a horrible crime happened--two parents were murdered and a young girl disappeared. Wylie is trapped there in a storm and finds a small child nearly frozen in the snow. Dark and twisty thriller--and a total page-turner!! Eerie, ominous, and creepy! 

Last Seen Alive - Ellery Hathaway met Reed Markham years ago as a teen when he pulled open a closet, freeing her from a serial killer, Francis Coben. Now Coben will only reveal his remaining victims if Reed brings Ellery to visit him in prison. A bittersweet, dark, and terrifying tale with a twisty plot.

 

The Secrets We Share - Sisters Natalie and Glenn appear quite different on the surface. But they share a secret--twenty years ago, their abusive father's body was found in the woods behind their home. Well-plotted mystery that keeps you guessing! 

 The Locked Room - book 14 finds Ruth dealing with the pandemic and finding a strange photo in her mother's belongings. Excellent read with a surprising and twisty modern mystery plus great appearances from favorite characters. Very atmospheric!  

Every Last Fear - Matt’s brother, Danny, is in jail for murdering his high school girlfriend and then several years later, tragedy befalls the rest of his family while vacationing in Mexico. Filled with lots of twists and surprises, this is a total page-turner!

Long Gone - book 2 featuring Detective Annalisa Vega, whose life is in tatters after making a decision that tore her family apart. When a fellow cop turns up murdered, Anna figures she has little to lose in investigating. Dark, excellent, and thought-provoking with a strong character-driven plot. 

The Last Party - excellent police procedural. DC Morgan must unravel how famous singer Rhys Morgan's body washed up on shore during a New Year's Day swim. Very character-driven and secrets abound! Tons of twists, with lots of nuance and depth.  

 

City On Fire - an insanely mesmerizing and excellent read about warring mob families (Irish and Italian) who lose it over a tale as old as time: a girl.  You get totally lost in the characters, and it feels as if you're in Rhode Island with these families, whose total loyalty to family is all they know.  

 

ROMANCE 

 

Part of Your World - Alexis Montgomery is an ER doctor with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She's part of the Montgomery family of world-renowned surgeons, with a huge family legacy to uphold. When Alexis' car breaks down in the tiny town of Wakan, she meets Daniel, a handsome younger carpenter. The story has some serious undertones and does a great job of exploring the dichotomy between what you want in life and the obligations of work and family. It's also such a funny, sweet, and romantic read. It has everything you could want in a romance. Chemistry, banter, humor, a raccoon encounter, farm animals, embarrassing advice about sexting... it all gels perfectly. I was laughing and crying and rooting for Daniel and Alexis the entire time.

 

Book Lovers - Nora is a cutthroat literary agent who reluctantly agrees to spend the summer in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina at the request of her adored little sister, Libby. Libby dreams Nora will have a rom-com transformation there, but Nora just keeps running into Charlie, an annoying guy she knows from NY. Such a fun one--witty bitter and a romance I could believe in! Plays on writing and literary tropes so well, has great side characters, and is just sweet and sexy! 

  

Kiss Her Once for Me - Ellie has lost her job and agrees to a fake romance with a friend--only to realize she shared a beautiful, romantic Christmas Eve with his sister a year ago! A lovely, touching, funny holiday story with fake romance and lesbians! Also covers anxiety in a thoughtful way, plus weaves in art and comics so well.     

 

The Key to My Heart - a sad and quiet tale at times about a woman finding herself after losing her husband. Still features fun banter and romantic prospects (two, in fact!). Our heroine, Natalie, is flawed and relatable. Serious but enjoyable and funny read. Louis has a great voice that brings her characters easily to life.  

 

 

FICTION & NON-FICTION

 

 

Like a House on Fire - Married for over a decade, Merit feels exhausted by life. She goes back to work and finds inspiration in her boss, Jane. An utterly mesmerizing, character-driven novel about motherhood, marriage, and finding yourself. Lovely, with sweet, tough, and gorgeous characters and not afraid to truly explore all aspects of being a mom. 

 

Lessons in Chemistry - Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 60s, when very few respect female scientists. She meets Calvin at the lab, and their ensuing romance is one for the ages. Through a wild and crazy turn of events, Elizabeth also winds up the chef on the TV show Supper At Six, where she inspires women with her scientific approach to cooking. The characters in this book truly sparkle and rooting for Elizabeth is so easy. Also features one of my favorite literary dogs of all time, Six-Thirty. 

 

I'm Glad My Mom Died - Powerful and moving memoir from child actor McCurdy. Subject matter can be brutal--but McCurdy is a wonderful writer with a brilliant voice. Highlights that she is a brave survivor.

 

Out of the Clear Blue Sky - Lillie isn't looking forward to her only child heading off to college, but it's made even worse by her husband, Brad, suddenly leaving her for another woman. She finds herself hellbent on revenge, but at what cost?  An emotional read, but funny! A touching and enjoyable read that delves into relationships and motherhood.

 

Flying Solo - Laurie returns home to clear out her great-aunt's belongings and is drawn to a wooden duck. A quirky and different read that explores the nature of relationships and family in a nuanced way. The tale of the duck is crazy and wild, but also fun and sweet. Really emotional and good read. 

All my troubles have gone away here in your arms: MISTAKES WERE MADE.

Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cassie is trying to escape being alone on Family Weekend by grabbing a drink at an off-campus bar. Erin Bennett is attempting something similar. Neither expected an amazing one-night stand, but, hey, these things happen, right? No harm, no foul, until Cassie's close friend Parker drags her to meet her mom--in town for Family Weekend--and oh yeah, it's Erin. Cassie doesn't want to hurt Parker; Erin certainly doesn't want to damage the tentative relationship she is building with her daughter since her divorce. But neither Cassie nor Erin can deny their chemistry.

This is quite a read--it starts off with a bang and never looks back. There's no slow-burn here: be prepared for plenty of sexy times when it comes to Cassie and Erin. Sometimes it almost feels too much; I would have liked to see a little more character development with these two instead of another stolen moment, but there's no denying this is a hot and heavy read!

The premise is definitely a little weird, and it takes some time to adjust. You cannot help but imagining your own life in this situation--and ICK. Cassie and Erin are a good couple, though, so that helps. The sneaking around and poor decision-making makes it more difficult, but I suppose we wouldn't have the book without it, eh? Erin is grappling with a fairly recent divorce from Parker's father, while Cassie has trouble with commitment. It's fairly easy to frame their decisions based on their overall personality types.

At first, this book feels a little slow (besides the sex) and a little repetitive (a lot of back and forth from both characters about hurting Parker, without actually doing anything about it), but it picks up and becomes more fun. I appreciate that this is lesbian novel with a different, unique premise, interesting characters, and steamy scenes. It's refreshing and much needed in our canon and for those reasons alone, my 3.75 stars are rounded up to 4.

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



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How I'll hate going out in the storm: NINE LIARS.

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Stevie Bell's senior year at Ellingham Academy could be going better. Everyone else is talking about college applications and the future and Stevie just isn't feeling it... Her boyfriend, David, is abroad studying in London. She has no new case to solve. Excitement returns when David invites Stevie and the crew to join him in England, and, while there, his friend Izzy tells them about a cold case from the mid 1990s. A group of nine friends from Cambridge went to relax at a country house and played a game of hide-and-seek in the rain; in the morning, two were found murdered in the woodshed. Izzy's aunt was one of the survivors, and she's sure things did not happen as claimed (burglary gone wrong). Can Stevie solve the case in the little time she has overseas?

I'll admit this was not my favorite Stevie Bell book, which is painful to admit, because I adore Stevie and her process. This one just felt *slow*--maybe because I had just binged THE BOX IN THE WOODS, which was so good! But, wow, did it take a long time for things to happen in LIARS! The first half of the book is Stevie feeling sorry for herself about college and David (so much opining about David in this one--this is not the Stevie I thought I knew!) and trying to get to London. Then the group has to see a million London sights to satisfy the "study abroad" part of the Ellingham requirement, which is all well and good, but wow, are those tourist sights described in detail. Get on with the murder!

The proper English country house murder mystery, when we get to it, is quite enjoyable, of course. We hear from the players back in the 1990s via flashbacks and then get to meet a variety of the survivors. There's plenty here to keep us guessing, but a lot of tension as Stevie navigates relationships with her friends, too. I am still Team Nate For Life.

Overall, this is a bit slower and more angsty than other Stevie books, but the mystery is solid, and of course, I'll still continue reading about Stevie forever, because I love her. 3.5+ stars.

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



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I used to think that we were forever ever: NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Maya and Skye are going on the reality show Second-Chance Romance for various reasons. The show centers on Jordy--a "royal" by a few degrees thanks to his sister marrying a prince--who is going to reunite with his exes on television. Maya is hurting since she and Jordy dated; he went to Canada and cheated on her with Skye. Skye, a worldly traveler who is typically cautious with her own heart, had no idea about Maya, but still feels pain from her own breakup with Jordy.

This was a strange one. I always want to get behind any sort of LGBTQIAP+ story, for sure. This is billed as a teen/YA story, but it focuses on a bunch of girls on a reality show trying to win back their ex--all of which seemed a little old for YA, even if these girls were fairly young. There's already the ick factor of a bunch of women trying to win back a vapid guy who clearly has a bunch of exes and who doesn't seem like a particularly good person.

I wanted to root for Skye and Maya to get together, of course--who doesn't love the idea of the women falling for each other on the show instead of the featured cad? Sadly, there isn't a lot of character development in how the two develop their relationship. At first, they hate each other due to misunderstandings. Then they are together due to proximity. Then, viola, a relationship? Maya is tough to empathize with due to her focused hatred on Jordy and desire for revenge; I liked Skye a bit more. Jordy came across as almost too much of a 1-D villain. There wasn't a lot to work with here. The other girls competing had their moments, but it was hard to tell them apart sometimes. There was so much drama about Jordy that I found myself rolling my eyes.

I am a huge sap, so I liked the ending, which is why my rating is bumped up a little. Still, I wished I had seen more growth in Maya throughout the story.

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

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What makes me think I could start clean slated: THE PERSONAL ASSISTANT.

The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex becomes a popular influencer by posting inspirational messages and photos of her twin daughters and husband. At first, it's just for fun, but soon, as her followers grow, it becomes a full-time job. She hires a personal assistant, AC, to help her manage the posts and everything that comes with maintaining a social media presence. When Alex hits a coveted follower count, she's thrilled, but things change overnight when she posts something controversial and her followers turn against her fast. She needs AC's help, but she's nowhere to be found. Alex isn't even sure she made the post and the more she digs into things, she can't help but wonder who AC is and if she's responsible for Alex's crumbling life.

This is an exciting, page-turner of a tale. Will it stick with me forever? Probably not. But it's captivating while reading thanks to its format, which is told from Alex, AC, and Alex's husbands POVs. The whole story keeps you on your toes--talk about the dangers of social media! We see how Alex is on top of the world one day and the subject of complete scorn the next. Her followers turn against her, sweeping her teenage daughters and husband up in their hatred. A body turns up and things get interesting quickly!

I loved the then & now format, with the snippets from Alex, AC, and Patrick, Alex's husband. The book has great insight into the power of social media and family. The ending was a little wild, but I enjoyed being kept guessing!

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

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See how much you may receive: THE KEY TO MY HEART.

The Key to My Heart by Lia Louis
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Natalie Fincher has spent the last two and a half years in a daze. And for perfectly good reason--she unexpectedly lost her husband, leaving her in a pool of grief. She remains behind in their fixer-upper cottage, her career in shambles, and her sister and friends constantly encouraging her to "get out there." Her one bit of joy comes with occasionally playing piano music at a London tube station and getting coffee nearby after. But when someone begins to leave sheet music at the station--music that seems so connected to her late husband--Natalie cannot help but feel hopeful for the first time in ages. Is this music a message from Russ?

I loved this book so much I finished it with only one eye thanks to an unfortunate incident with my dog and a garage door-frame. I am becoming quite the fan of Lia Louis and her lovely books. This was a sadder and quieter tale than I expected. It's a book about grief and getting over (or perhaps through) a loss. Still, it is also a romance with fun banter and hope. Louis writes romantic and friendly chatter so well.

In HEART we actually have two romantic prospects for Natalie--Joe, a man she meets at a grief music support class, and Tom, who is the son of Shauna, who runs the coffee shop where Natalie hangs out. Honestly, it stressed me out a little wondering who might win her heart--if at all--because I had a clear favorite.

Natalie is not a perfect heroine and that's quite nice and refreshing. She's learning to get out in the world again and she misses her husband. She's frustrated with her friends sometimes for pushing too hard, yet recognizes that maybe she may need that push. HEART handles grief very honestly and realistically. I enjoyed Natalie's kind, fashionable sister, and the wonderful strong character of Shauna, who is a tough cookie, even if she couldn't always acknowledge it. She has her own well-deserved subplot.

Overall, this is a sometimes serious but quite enjoyable read. While it touches on sad subject matter, it's often very funny. Louis writes with a such a great voice that she truly brings these characters to life. 4.5 stars.

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

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With a love that has no chance to grow: BLEEDING HEART YARD.

Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Inspector Harbinder Kaur is now living in London--and away from her family. She has a promotion and is leading her own team. Her first big case involves the murder of a MP, Garfield Rice. When Harbinder arrives at the scene, she discovers one of her own team already there: DS Cassie Fitzgerald. Cassie and Garfield were at their school reunion, joining back up with a group of friends with whom they share a close past friendship... and secrets. Now Harbinder must figure out if Garfield's death is tied to those friends, or his political leanings.

I'm so glad Harbinder Kaur is in my life. Elly Griffiths tells all of her stories with such ease, and I love getting to know her characters. This is the third Harbinder book and while it certainly can stand-alone, I recommend reading the first two as well: both because they are excellent and because you can pick up on some nuances of her character. Plus, I just love Griffiths for writing a lesbian Sikh lead character.

I will admit, I was a little slow to follow the beginning of YARD due to its early emphasis on English schooling and politics. That's just my own ignorance. Everything made sense in time. There are a lot of characters introduced quickly (all of Cassie's friends at the reunion), but you soon learn who's who. The story is told not just from Harbinder's POV but Cassie and others, which adds an extra level of intrigue.

Griffiths gives us an interesting and timely tale filled with apt political aspects. I absolutely adore Harbinder (and her dry wit and sarcasm). Garfield's murder is a fascinating case that keeps you guessing. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley / Scene of the Crime and Mariner Books in return for an unbiased review.

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And she don't care when you're down: THE WIDOW.

The Widow by Kaira Rouda
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jody Asher defines her life by her husband, Martin, a well-known congressman. She loves the status that comes with his position. Jody is throwing a wedding for their daughter and it's about to be the event of the year. But everything changes when scandal hits Martin--there's a rumor he's sleeping with a young intern and has dirty political ties to other countries. Then Martin dies and Jody truly stands to lose everything.

Ugh, I hate when I do not care for a book, but I just did not like this one! I almost DNF'd this one, but I kept hoping it would improve. And it did pick up a bit near the end, but things never truly gelled for me. THE WIDOW featured stilted writing, despicable characters, and--worst of all--nothing happened for the first half of the book! It's called THE WIDOW, but nothing happens to Martin until the halfway point (despite it appearing in the book summary and title). I just kept waiting and waiting for something exciting to happen!

Jody is billed as a psychopath character, but THE WIDOW did not take it far enough for me. If you are going to go that path, own it! The plot jumps around, trying to play spy thriller, lobbyist saga, and then tossing in their daughter and her wedding occasionally. Even better, somehow everyone went to school together! Martin, Jody, the Vice President, his wife went to college together, and then magically, Martin and their daughter's father went to high school together. Oh, the coincidences abound! It was way too much to believe.

There was a decent enough wild twist here at the end, but it couldn't redeem this story. There are boring "tips for congressional spouses" thrown in between every chapter that I eventually started to skim. Overall, I wish I had skimmed the whole thing. 2 stars.

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

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Don't you come knocking on my door: THE LAST PARTY

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The locals of Cwm Coed have an annual New Year's Day swim in the freezing Mirror Lake each year. But they'll never forget this swim... when the body of Rhys Lloyd washes up on shore. Once a local, Rhys left town for fame and fortune as a singer and only recently returned to start a fancy lakeside community known as The Shore on the "English" side of Mirror Lake. Suddenly DC Ffion Morgan of the North Wales Police has a dead body on her hands, a New Year's Eve party full of suspects, and an unwanted partner in DC Leo Brady from the Cheshire Constabulary.

"Out of the mist floats a man. Face down, and quite unmistakably dead."

I am a sucker for a good police procedural, but this one took it up a notch, as I didn't guess all the twists, which is so (so) rare. I also really liked the character of DC Morgan, and I'm so thrilled that she'll be back for another book. The narration alternates between the present-day investigation of Leo and Ffion and then chapters from the wealthy English personnel staying at The Shore. Their story is told backward, for the most part, starting with the The Shore's New Year's Eve party and heading back in time. We learn that just about everyone had a good reason to want Rhys Lloyd dead.

The setting of PARTY is wonderfully atmospheric, set right on the lake, and playing up the tensions of the locals from Wales versus the outsiders (seen as rich, snobby English folk). Even better is the fact that Rhys used to be one of "them" from Cwm Coed but now appears aligned with The Shore and all it stands for, including tearing apart landmarks passed down from his father, a member of the Cwm Coed community.

I loved the police procedural aspect of this book, as there is a true investigation going on to discover exactly what happened to Rhys, but there are also character-driven stories everywhere. Many of the characters are despicable, but as secrets unravel and dark pasts are told, you learn why many are the way they are. I loved the nuances and depth to so many in this mystery. Even better, plenty of twists and surprises exist to keep you on your toes.

Mackintosh is a wonderful writer, and it was great to have THE LAST PARTY to remind me of that. I look forward to the next book in this series. 4.5 stars.

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

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I could spend every single day afraid of losing your love: KISS HER ONCE FOR ME.

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Ellie Oliver lost her dream job in animation and now works at a coffee shop, just passing the mindless days and going home to her closet-sized apartment. She keeps flashing back to the magical Christmas Eve a year ago, when she met an amazing woman on a snowy morning and fell in love over the course of the day, but lost her. Then the coffee store's landlord comes up with a shocking proposition: he needs to get married to earn his inheritance, and she needs money. They'll have a (short) marriage of convenience, which includes spending the holidays at his family's winter cabin. But when Andrew and Ellie arrive to meet the fam, she cannot believe that his sister Jacqueline is actually "Jack," the woman she fell in love with last Christmas Eve. Now Ellie has to decide between keeping up the ruse with Andrew for financial security or risking everything for love.

KISS HER ONCE FOR ME is so charming! Christmas! Fake romance! Lesbians! It felt a little more serious than CHARM OFFENSIVE despite the holiday theme, but it's still such a great story. Cochrun said she was inspired by the movie "While You Were Sleeping," which is one of my absolute favorite films, and I could totally see it. (We even have a Jack!)

Much like CHARM, KISS covers anxiety in such a thoughtful way. Ellie is an anxious soul, afraid to to trust or take chances. Her fear of failure hit me in the gut. As for Jack, after you read this, no real lesbian may ever match up again. She's a lesbian ideal, a flannel-laden, pastry baking hottie. Andrew's family is a trip too, especially his grandmas, who are totally amusing (and very "While You Were Sleeping)."

I loved how the theme of art and web comics ran across the book (Ellie wrote a web comic about her day with Jack, and we learn about their encounter through excerpts from it). It's pretty hard not to enjoy a book about love, snow, and finding yourself. It has serious parts, but embraces its tropes, such as dating a friend's brother and the good 'ol fake fiance. It also really made me want to visit Portland!

Overall, this is such a lovely, touching, and fun read. Hallmark, Lifetime, please come and make this into a holiday movie! 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for KISS HER ONCE FOR ME on 11/1/2o22!!

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But I've been searching high and low and all around this town: THIS WICKED FATE.

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
My rating: 4.5+ of 5 stars

Briseis has grown up a lot. (Spoilers if you haven't read book #1). She's learned how her family, descendants of Medea, daughter of Hecate, niece of Circe, wife of Jason, is tasked with guarding the Absyrtus Heart--a plant that just happens to be incredibly deadly. Pieces have been separated over hundreds of generations. Jason's line has always wanted the heart and has been hunting it and Bri's family. Her family has been trying to get the pieces of the heart back and destroy them all. But the stakes are even higher now: if they do not get them all back within 28 days, Bri's mom will be lost forever.

What follows is a wonderful, queer mythical fantasy adventure that will completely sweep you off your feet! Bri is one of my absolute favorite heroines in YA literature. She is smart, funny, and real (and bi), and her focus on family is just lovely. Bayron's writing is just gorgeous: the descriptions of gardens and plants are so beautiful, not to mention all the mythology. She brings to life the world of Medea and all these mythical places and gods and goddesses. I felt as if we truly got to know Circe more.

These books are wonderful in that they are fun fantasy reads but also cover serious topics; as Bayron states: generational burden, grief, and healing. It covers the bonds of family and also friendship.

Overall, I love this series, and I found this book to be absolutely stunning! 4.5+ stars.

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When you said you don't need me anymore: IN THE TRAP.

In The Trap by Jessica Cranberry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hazel is a quiet college student who mostly minds her own business (while watching the world happen around her) until she gets to know her roommate, Maeve, better. One evening as they pass through the Trap, an outdoor space at their university, the two are harassed by some drunk male classmates. When one of them ends up dead, Hazel is a potential suspect, and she and Maeve try to solve the case before the police can trace either girl to the dead guy. Set just when internet diaries were becoming popular, the two delve into the campus' supposedly anonymous site. Can Hazel and Maeve figure out what happened--before anything else happens to them?

The time setting (college campus around when I attended) lured me in here. The writing wasn't always the best-- it was rather simplistic--and the mystery was a little easy to work out due to the limited cast, but I am hooked enough to want to read book #2. I definitely hoped for more of a lesbian storyline here (as I think Hazel did too) but maybe there will be more in the second book. It was nice to read a book set when I went to college, though, and I appreciated the author's focus on assault and the overall treatment of women.

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



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