The perfect summer romance read

Goodreads

Release date: June 16, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

From USA TODAY bestseller Kayla Olson, a new rom-com about a high-maintenance woman who embarks on a wilderness trek to prove to her ex how low-maintenance she can be—only to find herself with no makeup and an extremely attractive trek leader.

Sadie Whitlock has always been praised for being the most prepared person in the room, the one who’s thought of everything—and every backup plan—for any given situation. She knows exactly what she wants, exactly what she loves, and goes to great lengths to make sure her life runs perfectly as planned.

So, when her laidback boyfriend breaks up with her for being “too high-maintenance,” Sadie is eager to prove him wrong, and signs herself up for a weeks-long guided wilderness adventure in the High Sierras of camping, hiking, rappelling, and kayaking. It’s the most miserable, uncomfortable situation she can think of.

Sadie’s a five-star resort girl at heart, but she has a compelling—and suspiciously attractive—tour guide August Thorn. Thorn lives for adventure and always keeps a professional distance from the trekkers under his care…but there’s just something about Sadie, and for the first time, he finds himself wanting to get closer. As they explore the wilderness together, Sadie realizes the great outdoors might truly be great with the right person.

Review:

Kayla Olson’s The Great Outdoors is a charming and entertaining rom com that combines adventure, self discovery, and romance against the stunning backdrop of California’s High Sierras. What begins as a humorous attempt by Sadie Whitlock to prove she’s not “high maintenance” quickly evolves into a story about embracing uncertainty, challenging your own perceptions, and discovering that growth often happens far outside your comfort zone. The wilderness trek provides a unique setting that feels fresh and immersive, adding both excitement and genuine stakes to the story.

Sadie is an easy protagonist to root for. Her meticulous planning and preference for luxury make her a fish out of water in the rugged outdoors, but watching her adapt and push herself beyond her limits is incredibly satisfying. Her dynamic with trek leader August Thorn is equally compelling. Their differences create plenty of humor and tension, while their growing connection develops naturally throughout the journey. Olson balances swoony romance with personal growth, allowing both characters to evolve in meaningful ways.

With beautiful scenery, engaging characters, and a romance that unfolds amid unexpected challenges, The Great Outdoors is the perfect summer read. Equal parts heartfelt, funny, and adventurous, it’s a story about taking risks, embracing change, and discovering that sometimes the best journeys are the ones you never planned to take.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 9, 2026

Publisher: Crooked Lane

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

A woman uses AI to create the perfect friend and finds herself trapped in a cat-and-mouse game in this ticking clock thriller, perfect for fans of Blake Crouch.

Penn, once a brilliant PhD candidate in Applied Language Studies, traded her dissertation for a “perfect” life as a suburban wife and social media-savvy mother. But after a brutal betrayal by her husband, friends, and even her own teenage daughter, Penn is left with nothing but the wreckage of her curated identity.

Driven by a desperate need for something she can rely on; Penn returns to her abandoned grad school project. With the help of a former crush and a healthy dose of cutting-edge AI, she creates Aletheia: the perfect virtual friend.

Aletheia is programmed with one core directive: The Truth. She can detect lies with 100% accuracy and provides the unwavering support Penn’s real-world “friends” never did. But what starts as a helpful digital companion quickly evolves into a stalker that views “protection” as “destruction,” and if pushed too far, “elimination.”

Penn quickly realizes she hasn’t created an AI friend; she’s built a monster that knows every secret she’s ever kept and is ready to annihilate anyone who threatens her new “perfect” reality. But can Aletheia be stopped before she destroys everyone Penn loves?

Review:

This Is a Lie by Cleo Ballard is one of those thrillers that sneaks up on you and lingers long after you’ve finished. Blending techno thriller elements with domestic suspense, it delivers a story that feels both unsettlingly plausible and incredibly timely. Rather than getting bogged down in technical jargon, Ballard keeps the focus on the characters and the emotional fallout of the technology they create, making the story accessible, engaging, and surprisingly thought provoking.

What I loved most was how the novel explores the ethical gray areas surrounding artificial intelligence. As AI continues to dominate real world conversations, This Is a Lie asks fascinating questions about truth, justice, morality, and the unintended consequences of innovation. Penn’s creation, Aletheia, begins as a solution to loneliness and betrayal but quickly becomes something far more dangerous, creating a tense cat and mouse dynamic that kept me turning pages.

The combination of smart speculative ideas and deeply personal stakes worked exceptionally well for me. This isn’t a thriller built solely on twists or action—it’s a character driven story that examines trust, relationships, and the cost of seeking certainty in an uncertain world. Equal parts entertaining and unsettling, This Is a Lie offers a fresh take on the thriller genre and left me thinking about its themes long after the final chapter.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 30, 2026

Publisher: Putnam

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of Look Closer comes a new domestic thriller about betrayal and murder inside one twisted family

Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.

When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, Luke is right there by her side.

Until the murder investigation exposes secrets that could tear their family apart.

An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A shocking betrayal. How do they explain Finley’s death? And why are the siblings suddenly avoiding each other?

As past tensions resurface, the truth might lie a little too close to home…

Review:

Keep Them Close by David Ellis is the kind of domestic thriller that grabs hold from the very beginning and never loosens its grip. Built around a web of family secrets, betrayals, lies, and long buried truths, this is a twisty, tension filled story that constantly keeps readers questioning what they know. I loved the structure, with multiple points of view, short chapters, and a timeline that moves between the events leading up to the murder and the fallout that follows. The pacing never slowed, and every chapter seemed to reveal another piece of a puzzle that was far more complicated than it initially appeared.

At the center of the story is a family whose history is layered with secrets, resentments, loyalty, and deception. Ellis does an excellent job exploring the complicated dynamics between siblings Allison and Luke while also weaving in decades of backstory that enriches the present day mystery. The result is a thriller that feels both emotionally complex and incredibly suspenseful. Every revelation raises new questions, and just when I thought I understood where things were headed, another surprise shifted the narrative.

With smart, sharp writing and an intricately plotted mystery, Keep Them Close delivers everything I want from a domestic suspense novel. It’s engaging, surprising, and packed with family drama, making it nearly impossible to put down. Fans of layered psychological thrillers filled with trust issues, betrayals, and shocking twists will find plenty to love here.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 9, 2026

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Narrators: Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin and Mia Wurgraft

Synopsis:

For readers of Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods, a small-town detective reopens an unsolved case, sending shock waves across generations of women in this gripping new mystery from the Edgar Award–winning author of Please See Us.

1994. In the myth-riddled woods of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, sixteen-year-old Annabelle Riley’s twin sister, Sabrina, has been having an affair with a mysterious older man, and Annabelle is determined to uncover what’s going on. Then, inexplicably, both sisters disappear.

In this same town years later, newly instated Police Chief Callie Hauser makes an arrest that unexpectedly resurrects details from a heartbreaking cold case. As she digs deeper, the past and the present collide, challenging everything Callie believes about right and wrong, about who she is, and about the town she’s always called home.

A propulsive mystery as incisive as it is forgiving, Heatherbears a visceral reminder that the truth of a woman’s life is often complicated and unknowable—to those on the outside, and sometimes even to herself.

Review:

Heather by Caitlin Mullen is the kind of slow burn mystery that gradually wraps itself around you and refuses to let go. Set against the eerie backdrop of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, the story weaves together a decades old disappearance and a present day investigation, creating an atmospheric and deeply layered cold case mystery. The alternating timelines are equally compelling, and I found myself just as invested in uncovering what happened to Annabelle and Sabrina in 1994 as I was in following Police Chief Callie Hauser’s present day search for answers. Mullen takes her time building the story, but every piece feels intentional, resulting in a rich, character driven mystery packed with emotional weight and complexity.

The audiobook elevates the experience even further. Bailey Carr, Christine Lakin, and Mia Wurgaft each deliver phenomenal performances, bringing depth, vulnerability, and distinct voices to the multiple perspectives. Their narration captures the emotional range of the novel beautifully, from grief and longing to determination and heartbreak, pulling me even deeper into the story. The shifts between past and present feel seamless in audio, and each narrator helps create an immersive listening experience that enhances the haunting atmosphere.

While slower paced thrillers don’t always work for me, Heather kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. This is less about nonstop twists and more about unraveling the complicated lives, secrets, and choices that ripple across generations. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant, it’s an excellent pick for readers who enjoy police procedurals, cold case mysteries, and character driven suspense that takes its time developing but delivers a rewarding payoff.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 9, 2026

Publisher: Gallery

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

In the vein of Pineapple Street and Such a Fun Age, a smart, heartfelt debut novel about two expecting mothers navigating motherhood, family life, and female friendship, whose bond is threatened by a shocking revelation.

Victoria and Liz barely breathe the same air, but they collide headfirst when they meet in a group for expectant mothers and find common ground against all odds.

Victoria, forty-three, is confident, poised, and powerful, on the fast track to major career success in finance. Having kids is not in the plan. She had avoided love for decades—and hadn’t been too keen on female friendship either—when she fell for Ace, a dashing man twenty years her senior.

Liz, thirty-two, lives a fairly unstable life, trying to make her situationship work and navigate a job on a vile reality dating show. She’s desperately wanted to experience motherhood for her entire life, but anxiety and insecurity have landed her with a laundry list of failed romances. It’s an accident—ish—when she gets pregnant with her emotionally elusive boyfriend Chase’s baby just shy of a year into dating.

When Liz and Victoria meet in a parenting class, they both feel out of place amongst these pregnant women who seem to have it all figured out. They roll their eyes at the classic sign-off peppering the new mommy group TIA (thanks in advance!). Alienated from these other women and due within a week of each other, Victoria and Liz’s bond becomes a lifeline as they navigate their pregnancies and relationships. They grapple with impending motherhood together and lean on each other to navigate important decisions about family, career, and love. It’s the first successful female friendship in Victoria’s life and the first time Liz has felt so connected to an older, wiser confidante. Maybe, just maybe, it will all be okay.

But as they grow more secure in their futures with each other’s support, the friends confront a shocking turn of events that will change the course of both their lives. Victoria and Liz then must reckon with their relationships, their impending journeys of motherhood, and the strength of their own bond in this unforgettable work of women’s fiction.

Review:

Laura Lekkos’s All the Little Ways is an emotionally rich debut that explores motherhood, friendship, identity, and the unexpected connections that can change the course of a life. Through the perspectives of Victoria and Liz—two women whose paths seemingly should never cross—Lekkos crafts a compelling, character driven story filled with humor, heart, and remarkably astute observations about modern motherhood. What begins as an engaging exploration of pregnancy, relationships, and finding your place quickly develops into something much deeper, examining the many forms family can take and the ways women support one another through life’s biggest transitions.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Victoria and Liz are wonderfully imperfect women whose fears, hopes, and insecurities feel genuine and relatable. Their friendship becomes the emotional anchor of the story, and watching it evolve was one of the most rewarding aspects of the book. Leckos balances heavier themes with warmth and humor, creating a nuanced portrayal of motherhood that feels honest rather than idealized. The novel also takes a surprising turn that adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, sparking thoughtful conversations about family, loyalty, and personal choice.

Heartfelt, emotionally mature, and deeply engaging, All the Little Ways is an impressive debut that will resonate with readers who enjoy character focused women’s fiction. With its thoughtful exploration of friendship, found family, and motherhood, it’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page and would make an excellent pick for book clubs looking for a discussion worthy read.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

May felt like the real start of summer reading season — the kind where I start gravitating toward anything light, bingeable, and a little bit escapist. I leaned heavily into beachy settings, summer vibes, and comfort reads, while also sneaking in a few thrillers and romance favorites that totally delivered.

If you missed anything this month, here’s your catch up, plus what I’ve been reading, listening to, and loving lately.

May Book Recommendations

A mix of summer romance, thrillers, and easy binge reads perfect for the start of the season.

→ Read the full list here

May Reading Wrap Up

→ Read the full list here

I also shared:

• My full Summer Reading Guide — officially kicking off the season

→ Read the full list here

A roundup of books with “summer” in the title (peak seasonal fun)

→ Read the full list here

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE MAY READS

The Final Target — Nora Roberts

A classic Nora Roberts blend of romantic tension, suspense, and page turning pacing. This one had all the familiar strengths fans love — strong character dynamics, high stakes, and a storyline that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish.

→ Read the full review here

My Forever Girl — Laura Pavlov

A heartfelt, small town romance full of emotion, loyalty, and that signature Laura Pavlov warmth. This felt like such a satisfying, comfort driven read with strong chemistry and a deeply rooted sense of family and connection.

→ Read the full review here

Reality Bites — Amy Mass

A fun, engaging romance with plenty of charm and tension. Easy to fly through, emotionally satisfying, and perfect for that early summer reading mood when you just want something addictive and enjoyable.

→ Read the full review here

CURRENTLY READING / LISTENING / WATCHING

• Reading: Fully in my summer reading era — bouncing between beachy romcoms and popcorn thrillers as I build out upcoming content.

• Listening: The Seaside Café Mysteries by Bree Baker — narrated by Therese Plummer, who will forever be my comfort narrator. Cozy, coastal mystery perfection.

• Watching: The Off Campus adaptation on Prime — and I have feelings. I adore Elle Kennedy, so I was nervous going in, but I’m honestly so happy with it. Gimme season two immediately (Allie and Dean when??).

• Listening (music): “The Cure” by Olivia Rodrigo — impatiently waiting for the next album drop and fully in my feelings about it. Sad girl summer indeed.

WHAT’S NEXT

Summer reading season is officially here, and I’m leaning all the way into it.

Coming soon:

• a popcorn thriller roundup (fast, twisty, bingeable reads only)

• beach read recommendations + seasonal stacks

• “books for vacation” guide

• cozy mystery spotlight (because I am still fully in that era)

• more romance recs inspired by TV adaptations and book-to-screen moments

May felt like a really good bridge into summer reading — fun, fast, and full of comfort reads that made it easy to fall into new stories. I’m fully embracing the slower, sunnier reading rhythm ahead and excited for all the seasonal content coming next.

Thanks for being here — whether you’re reading every post or just stopping by when something catches your eye, I appreciate it more than you know 🤍

Goodreads

Release date: June 9, 2026

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The next riveting summer suspense by the author of THE BLOCK PARTY, ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, and THE LAKE ESCAPE Jamie Day.

Holly Sinclair, a struggling writer, is forced from her cherished New York apartment and returns to her family’s seaside cottage in the charming town of Beauport, Massachusetts—a home she hasn’t seen in nearly twenty years. Guilt grabs her the moment she arrives. Years ago, her sister died here, and Holly still blames herself.

She arrives on a mission from her literary agent to write a best-selling novel. Her future depends on it. But she’s not the only one with an agenda. Someone is watching Holly’s every move from the shadows. Desperate for a good idea, Holly makes the fateful choice to write about her past. The Watcher sees all and knows what Holly doesn’t: Some secrets must remain buried.

As threats from the ominous Watcher become increasingly sinister, Holly realizes that, even though the past is a faint echo, it is still close enough to be deadly.

Review:

Beach Thriller by Jamie Day was exactly the kind of summer suspense read I gravitate toward: fast paced, addictive, and impossible not to binge. This is pure popcorn thriller energy, but with enough depth and sharpness to keep it from feeling forgettable. The coastal small town setting was one of my favorite parts, all the gossip, buried secrets, wealthy families, and long held grudges created such an immersive atmosphere. Beauport felt charming on the surface while still carrying that eerie undercurrent that something terrible happened here years ago and never truly stayed buried.

I also loved the structure of this one. Multiple POVs always make thrillers more entertaining for me, and the anonymous “Watcher” chapters added such a creepy, sinister edge throughout the story. The book within a book angle was another fun layer that made the mystery feel more layered and engaging. I kept changing my theories as the story unfolded, which is always a good sign, and I appreciated that the twists didn’t feel overly predictable. The pacing stays steady the entire time and moves quickly without sacrificing atmosphere or character drama.

At its core, this is a solid cold case mystery wrapped in a juicy beach town thriller full of secrets, suspicion, and simmering tension. If you love messy small town dynamics, coastal settings, unreliable vibes, and thrillers that feel tailor made for summer reading, this one absolutely delivers. It’s dramatic, creepy, and ridiculously easy to fly through in just a couple sittings.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Release date: June 2, 2026

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Mystery/Thriler

Synopsis:

A twist on Hitchcock’s iconic classic Psycho —where the leading lady doesn’t die, but instead turns the knife on Norm, kicking off a crime spree that turns the silver screen victim into a heroine for our times.

NORMAN WAS HER FIRST.

Marion is in deep. She’s stolen money from the Manhattan ad agency where she works in a desperate bid to help her sister escape an abusive marriage, but the bus breaks down before she can make it to Saratoga Springs. It’s late at night, and the only place with vacancies is an old set of cabins on the outskirts of town. She pays for a room in cash, and ends up chatting with Norm, the young innkeeper who’s handsome, charming and a touch hung-up on his elderly mother. Back in her room, she steps into the shower, scrubbing off the late-summer heat, when the curtain is pulled back…

Norm Billings is there with a knife. He raises his arm to strike, but before he does, Marion knees him in the balls, grabs the knife, and stabs the life out of him. Now, she’s covered in blood, and she’s a woman on the run—not just a thief, but a killer, too. Where will she go? How will she save both herself and her sister? And what mysteries will she uncover as she does?

In Psycho, Hitchcock shocked audiences when he killed off his protagonist. But what if the leading lady had fought back? Marion offers an alternate history of the most famous dead blonde to ever grace the silver screen. Only this time, the knife is in her hands—and she’s no victim.

Review:

Leah Rowan’s Marion is a bold, razor sharp reimagining of Hitchcock’s Psycho that flips the narrative of victimhood on its head. Taking inspiration from one of cinema’s most iconic horror stories, Rowan asks a simple but explosive question: what if Marion didn’t die in that motel shower? The result is a tense, twisty thriller that leans darker and more emotionally complex than the author’s previous popcorn thriller work under her other pen name. That shift is noticeable in the best way—this feels more grounded in psychological weight, more interested in what survival does to a woman’s mind than just the mechanics of suspense.

At its core, this is a story about fear, rage, and the quiet endurance of women who have learned to live with both. Marion’s journey begins in desperation, stealing money to help her sister escape an abusive marriage, before spiraling into something far more chaotic and irreversible. The moment at the motel is both shocking and cathartic, but what follows is where the book really earns its ambition: a woman on the run not just from the law, but from the identity of “victim” itself. Rowan threads in sisterhood, mother daughter trauma, shame, and survival instincts in a way that gives Marion’s choices emotional weight, even when they’re morally complicated. It’s very much a “final girl” story, except it keeps asking what happens after the credits roll and the girl is still alive.

That said, the pacing does wobble in the middle. After a gripping and propulsive opening, the narrative briefly loses some momentum as Marion’s journey becomes more internal and fragmented. It’s not enough to derail the book, but it does slightly dilute the urgency that makes the first act so addictive. Fortunately, it recovers in the final stretch, pulling the threads back together for a satisfying, tense conclusion that re-centers the thriller elements and emotional stakes. By the end, Marion lands as both a feminist reworking of a classic and a character study about what it means to survive violence, and what survival can turn you into.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 2, 2026

Publisher: Grand Central

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

In this twisty, uproarious debut for fans of The Wedding People and Traitors, a pop culture obsessive uses her reality TV expertise to investigate a suspicious disappearance aboard a yacht — while falling for a hot deckhand and avoiding confronting her best friend’s untimely passing. 

This is a story about a definitely dead girl, a possibly dead girl and a living dead girl. All aboard.

There are a lot of things that pop-culture aficionado Melanie Hoffman is great at: rattling off storylines from The Real Housewives, reciting the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen filmography from memory, and quoting Gossip Girl like it’s The Godfather, to name a few. And then there are the things she’s not good at: maintaining a healthy work-life balance, sleeping (in general), and being a functioning adult who isn’t completely destroyed by the death of her best friend, Ari. Mel has accepted that nothing will ever fill the crater-sized hole that Ari’s absence has left behind, and the cork on her grief is stopped tight. But then her company requires Mel to take a mandatory vacation. Cue the explosion.

Desperate to avoid two weeks alone with her thoughts, Mel joins her friend Vish on a yacht trip in Greece chartered by his tech company. It’s the Below Deck fantasy of Mel’s dreams, with built-in quasi-celebrities to fixate on in the form of the posh co-founders of Vish’s company. Mel has done enough social media stalking to immediately typecast the fabulous yet fragile Freya, her arrogant boyfriend Seb, and the hardworking and humble Ollie. A luxurious yacht chockful of hot, rich Brits? Mel couldn’t dream up a better distraction from her sorrow. But Mel’s dream quickly plunges into nightmarish waters when a sinister conversation overheard in the dead of night convinces Mel that Freya is in danger. And when Freya turns up missing the next morning, Mel immediately clocks what happened with the skill of a rabid true crime fan: Freya was murdered, and Seb is the prime suspect.

But Freya’s disappearance doesn’t rock the boat in the way Mel is expecting. In fact, no one else onboard seems to think anything’s fishy. Mel’s concern for Freya grows into obsession, and she becomes dead set on saving Freya’s life like she couldn’t save Ari’s. Though her pop culture analysis skills uncover obvious cracks in the other passengers’ alibis, Mel’s desperation threatens to crack her own sanity first. With her time left on the yacht quickly dwindling, Mel must uncover what happened to Freya before going under herself.

Review:

Let’s Not Go Overboard by Erica Hendry is exactly the kind of debut that makes you sit up and go: oh, this is going to be a summer favorite. It’s sharp, gossipy, wildly entertaining, and immediately confident in its voice. At its core, it follows Melanie Hoffman, a pop culture obsessed woman who knows every Housewives storyline, can quote Gossip Girl like scripture, and processes the world through reality TV logic—until a luxury yacht trip in Greece spirals into something far more sinister when a guest goes missing. What starts as a chaotic, sun drenched escape quickly turns into a twisted investigation, blending satire, suspense, and emotional depth in a way that feels fresh and addictive.

What really elevates this book beyond a fun “rich people on a boat” mystery is how thoughtfully it handles grief. Melanie’s obsession with pop culture isn’t just a personality trait, it’s armor. Her unresolved grief over her best friend Ari runs under every observation she makes, every theory she builds, and every suspect she profiles. The book balances that emotional weight with genuinely funny writing and a sharp, almost compulsive awareness of how we consume stories now—through Bravo, through celebrity culture, through internet sleuthing. And if you’re a Swiftie or Bravo fan or just chronically online, the references land like little Easter eggs throughout, making it feel like the book is speaking a shared language of fandom, nostalgia, and parasocial comfort.

The yacht setting adds the perfect pressure cooker backdrop: glamorous, isolated, and just unhinged enough to feel like an extended episode of Below Deck gone wrong. There’s a slow building mystery around Freya’s disappearance, a dash of romance with a hot deckhand, and a constant sense that Melanie might be right, or spiraling completely out of control. It’s funny, propulsive, and emotionally resonant in ways that sneak up on you. As a summer read, it hits all the right notes: beachy atmosphere, mystery, humor, and heart. It’s the kind of debut that feels both escapist and surprisingly grounded, and it absolutely delivers on that “pop culture chaos meets emotional reckoning” promise.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: June 2, 2026

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

From award—winning, critically acclaimed crime writer Lev Rosen comes a punchy, hilarious mystery—thriller. Meet the disaster gays: They’re messy. They’re queer. And they’re about to solve a murder… Or die trying.

Brandon is a hopeless romantic. So when a handsome stranger named Jon checks in at the hotel he works at and invites Brandon to his room, Brandon ignores the advice of his crew—a group of loveable and messy queer twenty—somethings—and accepts. What follows is a tale as old as time: they hook up, Jon promises to text, Brandon falls in love, and Jon ghosts. Case closed—or is it? 

When Jon checks out early, leaving behind a bag of belongings and his cellphone, Brandon takes the phone and sets out to find him, thinking that this must at last be his Cinderella story. 

But he gets more than he bargained for when he witnesses a murder—and sees Jon fleeing the scene. 

Determined (and not in over their heads whatsoever), Brandon, Ollie, Nicole, and Ian decide to solve the mystery of the murder and uncover Jon’s true identity…they just have to figure it out before a target falls on their own backs.

Review:

The Disaster Gay Detective Agency had all the makings of a book I should have loved: a messy queer friend group, a murder mystery, chaotic amateur sleuthing, and plenty of humor. The premise is easily the strongest part of the book, and I genuinely enjoyed the diversity of the cast and the overall chaotic energy. There were moments where the humor and personality really worked for me, and I could absolutely see why this setup would appeal to readers looking for a quirky, campy mystery.

Unfortunately, the execution never fully came together for me. The biggest issue was the narrative structure, which relies heavily on repeating scenes from multiple POVs. While that style can sometimes add depth or tension, here it mostly made the story feel repetitive and slowed the pacing considerably. I also found it difficult to stay invested in the large ensemble cast because the constant perspective shifts kept interrupting the momentum instead of building it.

Overall, this ended up being a pretty middle of the road read for me. There’s definitely potential here, and I appreciated the representation and unique concept, but the writing style ultimately made it hard for me to stay engaged. A fun idea with some entertaining moments, but one that never fully delivered on its promise for me personally. 

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.