Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Nothing is as it seems—and no one is telling the truth—in this page-turning thriller about a young lawyer forced to defend a man on trial for murder against the mentor who taught her everything: her husband.

When Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case, she’s shocked by the victim: a well-known, well-respected judge, whose death sent shockwaves through the legal community. She’s also incredulous—she’s nowhere near experienced enough to handle such a high-profile assignment—but the defendant is insistent: he wants her, and only her, to represent him.

Except he’s refusing to talk. And if that wasn’t complicated enough, Leila soon learns her opponent is the most ruthless prosecutor she’s ever known: her husband.

It’s an impossible situation, yet Leila is determined to sway the jury to her side—until she’s blindsided once again by a shadowy figure from her past. Suddenly, Leila finds herself fighting not only for her client and marriage, but also to keep her own secrets buried. And if she has to rewrite the rules to win, so be it.

Review:

Dissection of a Murder is one of those legal thrillers that immediately stands out for how sharp and confident it feels, especially as a debut! From the start, the premise hooks you: a young defense attorney taking on a high profile murder case against her own husband. It’s messy, high stakes, and full of tension before the trial even really begins.

What makes this one work so well is how layered the central case is. The mystery unfolds in a way that feels complex but never overwhelming, with each reveal adding another piece to a puzzle that’s constantly shifting. I did manage to guess one of the major twists early on, but it didn’t take away from the experience—in fact, watching how everything came together was just as satisfying. The pacing really shines, too,chapters are tight and fast moving, and the interspersed sections from the unknown witness add this eerie, almost unsettling edge that keeps you slightly off balance in the best way.

Courtroom dramas can sometimes drag, but that’s absolutely not the case here. The tension builds gradually and intentionally, pulling you deeper into both the legal battle and Leila’s personal unraveling. The characters feel fully realized, with complicated motivations and secrets that keep you questioning everyone’s version of the truth. It’s smart, it’s gripping, and it feels genuinely fresh in a genre that can sometimes feel formulaic.

Overall, this is a really impressive debut, it’s clever, engaging, and hard to put down. A solid 4.5 star read that proves courtroom thrillers can still surprise you.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

“Pretty much the platonic-ideal beach read.” —Ada Calhoun, New York Times bestselling author of Crush

Hello Beautiful meets Miranda July in this sexy, darkly comedic literary novel set in San Diego about an obsessive love affair that ends in a murder

For Perdita Jungfrau, a social worker who thought she was going to be married to her husband forever, falling in love with her anarcho-Marxist roofer Nando is a crisis. Every possible obstacle is in their Nando is fifteen years younger and has a girlfriend. Perdita is pregnant and terrified to mess up her children. None of that hinders her from being drawn to this magnetic man who entrusts her with his deepest secret. 

Three years later, Perdita’s lover has been murdered. As her bewildered husband tries to make sense of the wildly unpredictable person his wife has become, Perdita has other things on her mind. For starters, who is the mysterious woman sitting outside her house in a parked car all day? How can she stop her adored baby brother from being pulled under by his opioid addiction? Can someone with a childhood like theirs ever be the mother her children deserve?

And most of all, what should she do with the searing memories of the affair, which turned her life upside down?

Review:

A Little Bit Bad by Cassandra Neyenesch is one of those novels that sets up a fascinating premise and then deliberately refuses to stay in a single lane. At its core, it follows Perdita Jungfrau, a married mother whose life unravels after an affair with her much younger, politically radical neighbor, Nando. Years later, his murder forces her into a present that feels just as unstable as her past, where grief, guilt, and lingering obsession collide with everyday pressures like parenting, marriage, and family crisis. The setup promises intensity, and it delivers that, but not always in a steady or cohesive way.

What stands out most is Perdita herself. She’s deeply flawed, often frustrating, and consistently makes questionable decisions, but she’s also compelling in a messy, human way. The sardonic, dark humor threaded through her perspective helps keep the story from sinking under its heavier themes, and there are moments where her voice really cuts through. At the same time, the pacing feels uneven, and the narrative tone shifts between domestic mundanity and heightened drama in a way that doesn’t always fully settle. It leans into a genre blending structure—part literary drama, part psychological unraveling, part domestic suspense—but it occasionally feels like it hasn’t quite decided what it wants to be.

Ultimately, this is a book that intrigues more than it fully satisfies. The emotional threads; motherhood, addiction, memory, and the long tail of an affair are all interesting in isolation, but they don’t always come together in a fully cohesive way. Still, there’s something oddly absorbing about it, especially if you don’t mind an unpolished narrative that mirrors its protagonist’s own instability. For me, it lands in that middle of the road space: ambitious, occasionally gripping, but ultimately uneven. A solid 3-star read.

Overall rating: 3/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

From the #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a heartbreaking contemporary novel full of the author’s characteristic empathy and understanding of the human  a dying teenager with a final wish, a lonely young man on a journey towards connection, and the unexpected friendship they find together, this is an irresistible and unforgettable read for fans of Jojo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, and John Green.

Jesse is fifteen. She loves her friends, her little brother and her parents, even when they’re arguing, which feels constant these days. But most of all, she loves playing video games. Even from her hospital bed.

Alex is twenty-nine. He doesn’t love a lot of things and isn’t really sure he knows how to. A virtual reality games designer, his work desk is empty except for his computer, much like his life sometimes feels.

Then Jesse makes a wish. A simple a video experience made of her life, something to be there, just in case she isn’t.

One loving teenager.

One lonely adult.

Which one will get the happy ending?

Review:

The Wish by Heather Morris is a deeply emotional, quietly powerful story that leans into grief, love, and the fragile beauty of human connection. Centered around Jesse, a teenager battling cancer, and Alex, a withdrawn game designer tasked with bringing her final wish to life, the novel explores what it means to truly be seen, especially in life’s most devastating moments. Morris captures the intimacy of Jesse’s world with tenderness, balancing the heaviness of her circumstances with moments of warmth, humor, and unexpected light.

At times, the premise teeters on the edge of sentimentality, and there are moments where it feels like it could slip into something overly polished or predictable, but for the most part, it holds steady in its sincerity. The emotional weight lands, often quietly, building into something that feels heartfelt rather than manipulative. This is undeniably a sad, bittersweet read—one that lingers and asks you to sit with it. If you’re in the right mood for something poignant and reflective, The Wish delivers a moving story about courage, resilience, and the lasting imprint we leave on the people we love but it is super sad so be forewarned. 

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: William Morrow

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

How far would you go to rescue your child? A mother races against the clock—and finds herself on the wrong side of the law—in a desperate fight to save her teenage daughter in this pulse-pounding thriller from the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller Wrong Place Wrong Time.

There is nothing that Simone won’t do for her daughter, Lucy. The two have always been close, and with Lucy about to leave home for university, they depart the UK for a vacation to Texas to spend some quality time together. But when Simone awakens on their first morning in the desert, Lucy is gone, missing from their rental cabin. In her place is a cell phone, and a voice on the other line issues a shocking ransom demand. Don’t tell the police. Come to this location. And be prepared to do a deal…

Though Simone’s husband urges her to bring in the authorities for help, she knows she can’t take any chances. The kidnappers might kill Lucy if she tells anyone. No mother would take that risk. Instead, that night, she drives to the isolated meet-up.

What she finds there changes everything. The mysterious kidnapper doesn’t want money. They want Simone to do something. The unthinkable.

A catastrophic chain of events is set in motion, with chilling consequences that extend beyond Simone and her family. What follows is a heart-pounding journey through the small towns and punishing deserts of remote Texas, in which Simone’s courage—and morality—is pushed to the brink as she discovers what it truly means to be a mother.

Review:

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister is the kind of high stakes, emotionally charged thriller that pulls you in immediately and refuses to let go. From the very first chapter, the tension is relentless as Simone is thrust into every parent’s worst nightmare, her daughter missing, and she receives a chilling set of instructions that force her into impossible choices. The pacing keeps you on edge, constantly shifting direction in ways that make it nearly impossible to predict what’s coming next. It’s twisty, gripping, and deeply rooted in that central question: what would you do?

What really elevates this story is how character driven it is. This isn’t just about the race against time—it’s about Simone’s unraveling sense of morality as she’s pushed further and further beyond her limits. McAllister leans hard into the emotional stakes, exploring just how far a parent will go to protect their child, and it makes every decision feel weighty and personal. Even when the plot veers into far fetched territory, it’s easy to go along for the ride because the intensity and emotional core are so compelling. Honestly, when a thriller is this action packed, you kind of want it to go there.

There are a few moments in the middle where the pacing slows down, but even then, the story never lost my attention. Those quieter sections give space to process the moral dilemmas and deepen the character work, which ultimately makes the high intensity moments hit even harder. Tense, emotional, and full of unexpected turns, Caller Unknown is a gripping reminder that sometimes the most terrifying question isn’t what’s happening, but what you might be capable of when everything is on the line.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

An investigation turns into an obsession when the younger sister of a slain pop starlet is determined to uncover her sister’s killer, no matter what it costs.

When superstar Blair Baker is murdered moments before her triumphant homecoming concert, her younger sister, Stevie, knows she has one chance to find out who’s responsible.

The thing is, Stevie’s been here before, desperately searching for clues that might reveal who hurt someone she loves…but Stevie was younger then, just a kid. This time, she won’t let the truth slip through her fingers.

What begins as a search for answers about Blair’s death turns into a dangerous journey through the darker side of global fame. Soon, Stevie begins to uncover dark secrets closer to home—secrets that someone wants desperately to keep hidden. Is Stevie ready to confront what the truth reveals?

Review:

Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson wastes absolutely no time pulling you in opening with the shocking onstage death of a global pop star and immediately setting the tone for a fast paced, high stakes mystery. From the very first chapter, the story moves with urgency, and it never really lets up. If you’re someone who gets frustrated with predictable YA thrillers, this one is a refreshing change. The twists land, the red herrings actually misdirect, and the reveals feel earned rather than obvious.

Stevie is such a strong lead, she’s tenacious, sharp, and completely unwilling to let things go (in the best way). She has that “dog with a bone” energy that makes her investigation compelling to follow, and her dynamic with Colby adds a layer of humor and warmth that balances the darker themes. Their friendship feels natural and gives the story some breathing room between the tension. And tension there is—this book leans into the messy, toxic side of fame, exploring how image, pressure, and secrets can spiral into something much darker.

There’s a clear A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder style vibe here, from the large cast of suspicious characters to the constant sense that literally no one can be trusted. At some point, you’ll side eye everyone, and that’s half the fun. With so many moving pieces, it becomes nearly impossible to confidently guess the outcome, which makes the final reveals all the more satisfying. Dramatic, twisty, and genuinely entertaining, this is a YA thriller that actually delivers on the mystery.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

April felt like the unofficial start of summer reading season for me — lighter reads, bingeable thrillers, and early dips into all the beachy, escapist vibes I love this time of year. I’ve been deep in planning mode for my summer reading guide, which means lots of romcoms, popcorn thrillers, and books that are just fun to fly through.

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

ICYMI: April Highlights

April Book Recommendations

→ Read the full list here

Full April Reading Wrap Up

→ Read the full list here

My Quarter 1 favorites — the best of the best so far this year

→ Read the full list here

My picks for the 5 star book challenge

→ Read the full list here

 A full spring reading list to match the season

→ Read the full list here

A Few of My Favorite April Reads

Five Star Summer — Sarah Morgan

A perfect early summer read with strong friendship dynamics, emotional growth, and that signature Sarah Morgan warmth. This one balances heart and escapism really well, making it ideal for easing into summer reading mode.

→ Read the full review here

Mad Mabel — Sally Hepworth

Sharp, character driven, and quietly unsettling in the way Sally Hepworth does best. This dives into family dynamics, secrets, and perception versus reality, and kept me fully invested the entire time.

→ Read the full review here

The Anniversary — Alex Finlay

Fast paced, twisty, and incredibly bingeable. This is one of those thrillers that keeps you flipping pages with multiple threads unfolding and just enough misdirection to keep you guessing.

→ Read the full review here

Currently Reading / Listening / Watching

• Reading: Deep in summer reading guide prep, so I’ve been bouncing between summery romcoms and popcorn thrillers. Also currently reading Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister and omg… it is TENSE. Total page turner energy and I cannot wait to see where it goes.

Listening (audiobook): Fever Dream by Elsie Silver narrated in live duet by Julia Goldani-Telles and Teddy Hamilton and wow this is a true epic listening experience.

• Listening (music): The Great Divide by Noah Kahan — and I cannot stop thinking about the take that “Folklore is for sad girls and Noah Kahan is for sad boys.” Not a boy, still deeply relate. Fully leaning into a sad girl summer moment.

What’s Next

Very much shifting fully into summer mode over here and I’m leaning all the way in.

Coming soon:

• my full summer reading guide (!!!)

• beach read recommendations + themed stacks

• “books to read on vacation” style recs

• more cozy mystery spotlights because I’m still in my era

And probably:

• a summer thrillers list (because I clearly cannot stop)

• quick hit carousel recs when I find a new favorite

• chaotic mood reader energy as always

⸻

Thank you for being here — whether you’re reading every post or just popping in when something catches your eye. I appreciate it more than you know 🤍

Release date: May 19, 2026

Publisher: Pamela Dorman

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

From the New York Times -bestselling author of Ghosted and The Love of My Life comes another love story wrapped in a an up-all-night thriller with a dark secret at its core

2010. Carrie and Johan, madly in love, marry on the beach in Thailand, five months into their whirlwind romance. Carrie, a British surgical intern, knows she’s being uncharacteristically impulsive but is too happy to care. But as the wedding festivities stretch into the night, armed men swarm the beach and arrest Johan for crimes unknown. In police custody, Johan refuses to see or speak to Carrie. She never sees him again.

2022. Carrie is settled in the English countryside with her husband, Robin, and their six-year-old twins. After a difficult entry into motherhood, Carrie has given up her career as a physician and has convinced herself that life as a mother and wife is enough. Until she stumbles across an online post that makes her realize Johan is out of prison—has been out for years. As the memories of their intense, passionate relationship return to her, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth about what happened on that beach all those years ago—even if that means putting her marriage and family in jeopardy.

And just when Carrie thinks she knows what she must do, a shocking twist confirms the truth found in every Rosie Walsh Everyone has something to hide. The One Day You Were My Husband asks listeners what—and whom—they would give up to return to a first love, and to the people they once were.

Review:

Rosie Walsh delivers a truly original premise in The One Day You Were My Husband; a love story that lasts only hours before it fractures into a mystery that spans years. Carrie and Johan’s beach wedding in Thailand ends in unimaginable tragedy, and what follows is less about the event itself and more about the long shadow it casts. Told through a dual timeline, the story carefully unravels their past while grounding us in Carrie’s present day life, one she’s rebuilt, but never fully repaired.

What makes this stand out is how layered and emotionally complex it feels. This isn’t a high octane thriller; it leans more into slow burn suspense, where tension builds through secrets, shifting perspectives, and lingering questions. Walsh explores grief, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive, all while threading in sharp twists that reframe everything you thought you understood. The reveals are measured but impactful, rewarding patience rather than rushing for shock value.

There’s also a strong sense of place that adds to the immersive experience, from the vivid beaches of Thailand to the quieter, more introspective settings in England and Sweden, it all contributes to a story that feels expansive yet intimate. With its morally gray questions, relationship dynamics, and plenty to unpack, this would make an excellent book club pick, the kind that sparks conversation long after the final page.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: Brillance Audio

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby returns to Triple Creek Ranch with a sizzling romance between a brooding ex–Secret Service agent and the president’s daughter he’s sworn to protect.

Five years ago, Secret Service Agent Gideon James took a bullet to protect me.

It haunts me every single day.

As the president’s daughter, my life has never truly been my own. But when a traitor in my security detail tries to kidnap me, Mom sends me to Montana—to the one man who’s never failed to keep me safe.

These days, Gideon runs an elite security training facility on his family ranch. He’s not exactly thrilled to see me, and his family trusts me even less. But during our intense self-defense sessions, something electric ignites between us. Those steel-gray eyes see past my title to who I really am. For the first time, I’m discovering my own strength—and a desire I can’t deny.

Just as I’m falling hard, betrayal strikes again, threatening everything Gideon and I have built. Now I must choose between protecting my heart and fighting for the man who’s always protected me—and the only place I’ve ever truly belonged.

Review:

The audiobook for Safe Keeping by Kristen Proby was such a fun mix of romance and suspense, with a bodyguard trope that immediately pulls you in. The stakes are high from the start, and the tension never really lets up—between the danger surrounding Lena and the unresolved history between her and Gideon, there’s always something simmering. I loved watching Lena step into her strength throughout the story; she starts off already fierce, but her growth into someone even more confident and capable was so satisfying. And Gideon? Fully in his protective, slightly grumpy, completely down bad era and it works so well.

On audio, Avery Caris and Sean Masters absolutely deliver. They complement each other perfectly, bringing out the pining, the tension, and the emotional undercurrent of the story in a way that makes it hard to stop listening. The chemistry translates effortlessly, and the banter and flirtation feel natural and engaging. It’s fast paced, a little suspenseful, and very easy to binge—definitely a standout for anyone who loves romantic suspense with strong character dynamics and a solid emotional core.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher and MustLoveAudio for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 5, 2026

Publisher: Gallery Books

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis:

Queen of the beach read,” (Cosmopolitan) New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina.

After the worst day in her professional life, burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens runs to Cape Carolina, North Carolina, looking for a new life—and possibly new romance. On her first day at her “simpler” job, high school baseball coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby, sending ripples through the entire tight-knit town of Cape Carolina.

Mason is still struggling to reconcile the scars of the injury that kept him out of the big leagues, stuck in his hometown, and searching for a way out. This newcomer and the child they’ve saved together might be just the motivation he needs to stay put. Sparks fly as Mason acquaints Daisy with Cape Carolina, introducing her to his friends and family, including his batty Aunt Tilley, who is looking for relief from long-buried family secrets and her own fresh start.

But as Daisy becomes increasingly attached to this abandoned child, and begins facing her own demons in the process, a startling discovery is made that threatens to rip the entire town of Cape Carolina apart, placing Daisy, Mason, and Tilley in the center of the storm. In a novel that proves that “Kristy Woodson Harvey is (the) go-to for elevated beach reads” (People), they will each learn that with love, understanding—and a community theater production of Hello, Dolly!—sometimes life conspires to bring us just exactly where we belong.

Review:

4/25

There’s just something about a Kristy Woodson Harvey novel that feels like slipping into your favorite beach chair with a perfectly chilled drinkand Summer State of Mind is exactly that kind of magic. Set once again in Cape Carolina, this story blends small town charm with layered emotional depth, following burnt out NICU nurse Daisy as she escapes to start over, only to find herself pulled into something far more complicated—and meaningful—than she expected. Harvey has such a gift for crafting character driven stories that feel both cozy and compelling, and this one is no exception. The relationships are rich, the setting is absolutely transportive, and the plot quietly builds with secrets, moral dilemmas, and just enough intrigue to keep you fully invested.

What really elevates this story is how seamlessly it balances heart and tension. Daisy, Mason, and even delightfully eccentric Aunt Tilley all feel like fully realized people navigating messy, real life choices. The abandoned baby storyline could have felt overly dramatic in lesser hands, but here it’s handled with care, raising thoughtful questions about love, responsibility, and what it truly means to belong. It’s emotional without being heavy, dramatic without losing its warmth—a signature Harvey sweet spot.

I also switched between print and audiobook for this one, and the audio experience was phenomenal. Cassandra Campbell delivers exactly what you’d expect, absolute excellence, while Stephanie Einstein and Matt Pittenger were fantastic additions, bringing fresh energy and depth to the story. The full cast truly brought Cape Carolina to life in a way that made it hard to stop listening. This is peak “elevated beach read” it’s full of heart, a little bit of drama, a touch of intrigue, and that irresistible feeling of being completely swept away. Another home run from my beach read queen.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: May 12, 2026

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

Every Year He Comes For Them.

On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.

A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.

The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.

Review:

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay is easily his strongest work to date, and that’s saying something if you’ve followed his thrillers. From the opening pages, the structure alone hooks you: we check in on Quinn Riley and Jules Delaney on the same day each year—May 1st—watching their lives fracture, shift, and slowly spiral toward something far more connected than they could ever imagine. It’s a simple concept on paper, but in execution it’s incredibly effective, giving the story this fractured, almost cinematic rhythm that makes it impossible to put down.

What really elevates this book is the pacing and structure combo. The chapters are razor short, constantly pulling you forward with just enough detail to make you say “one more chapter” until suddenly you’ve read half the book. Finlay balances the dual mysteries—the fallout of a near fatal teenage incident and the chilling presence of the May Day Killer—with precision. It’s twisty without feeling chaotic, emotional without losing its thriller edge, and smartly layered so every yearly snapshot adds weight to what came before.

There’s also something unexpectedly poignant about it. Watching these characters over a decade, always on the same date, creates this quiet sense of fate and inevitability that lingers beneath the suspense. Quinn and Jules are both shaped by trauma in very different ways, and the way their paths gradually tighten toward each other feels earned and gripping. Add in the serial killer thread that never quite lets you relax, and you’ve got a book that’s both bingeable and surprisingly emotional. This is a perfect summer thriller, it’s dark, addictive, and absolutely unputdownable, don’t miss it. 

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.