Goodreads

Release date: March 10, 2026

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Narrators: Julia Whelan & Sean Patrick Hopkins

Synopsis:

Benny Abbott and Joy Moore host one of the most beloved podcasts in the world. Each week, they delight listeners with a different “against all odds” survival story, gleefully finding the weird, life-affirming humor in near-death experiences. Since their first episode on Joy’s experience with severe narcolepsy, they’ve been the best friends everyone wants to befriend—and thanks to the meticulous management of Joy’s husband, Xander, they’ve built a lucrative empire.

The problem is, their next survival story may be their own. When Benny arrives at Joy and Xander’s one morning to record, he finds shattered glass and an empty house. The one clue shedding light on the couple’s disappearance is the incomplete, previously unseen first draft of Joy’s memoir. Benny will stop at nothing to find them, even as the police zero in on him as their prime suspect.

Millions of devoted listeners think they know the “real” Benny and Joy. But as the hours tick by, and the odds seem increasingly stacked against Joy and Xander being found alive, not even the most devoted fans could guess the terrible secrets their favorite famous BFFs have hidden from the world—and from each other.

Review:

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum is one of those rare debuts that feels completely confident in what it’s doing. Blending mystery, romance, and deeply layered friendship drama, it refuses to sit neatly in one genre and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. At its heart are Joy and Benny, beloved podcast hosts who built an empire around telling “against all odds” survival stories. When Joy disappears and Benny becomes the prime suspect, the story spirals into something far more complex than a standard missing person thriller. It’s emotional, surprising, and intensely character driven in a way that keeps you turning pages (or in my case, glued to my headphones).

The audiobook production elevates the experience even further. Because the novel centers on podcast hosts, the format cleverly leans into that medium delivering sections in a way that feels immersive and authentic. Julia Whelan shines as Joy (as she so often does), bringing nuance, warmth, and vulnerability to every layer of her character. There’s a reason she’s one of the most popular narrators in the industry. Sean Patrick Hopkins adds an emotional depth to Ben that truly tugs at the heartstrings, especially as suspicion tightens around him. Together, they make the story feel intimate and immediate.

What impressed me most is how multidimensional Joy and Benny are. Their bond feels real—messy, loyal, complicated, and at times painfully fragile. The podcast premise is fascinating on its own, but it’s the secrets beneath the surface that give this story its emotional weight. For a debut, this is wildly assured storytelling; engaging, unique, and filled with moments that genuinely surprised me. If you love character driven suspense with heart, this is one to add to your list.

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

The Winter Olympics may be over, but if you’re anything like me, you’re not ready to let go of the ice rinks, ski slopes, and heart pounding finals just yet. There’s something addictive about the precision of figure skating, the grit of hockey, and the high stakes drama of downhill racing. And while we wait for the next Games, these winter sports inspired books (plus a few bonus watches) will absolutely keep that competitive energy alive.

Whether you’re craving romance on the ice or a thriller set against a frozen backdrop, here are the best books to read after the Winter Olympics.

Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli

If you live for elite figure skating pressure and complicated romance, this one delivers. It captures the emotional toll of Olympic level ambition — the rivalries, the sacrifices, and the spark between skaters who are fighting for everything.

Check it out here

The Favorites by Layne Fargo 

Ice dancing takes center stage in this obsessive, emotionally layered story about ambition and complicated love. If you found yourself fully invested in ice dance scoring breakdowns this month, this book will absolutely hook you.

Check it out here

Fated Skates by Victoria Shade

Friends to lovers with intense chemistry and competitive stakes. It leans into that delicious tension that makes Olympic pair events so compelling to watch.

Check it out here

Coming in From the Cold by Sarina Bowen

Packed with heart, emotional depth, and athlete intensity, it perfectly captures the discipline and drive behind winter sports.

Check it out here

Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison

While not directly tied to winter sports, this chilling thriller unfolds against cold, remote settings with shocking twists and high emotional stakes is perfect if you’re craving adrenaline after watching downhill finals.

Check it out here

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

Set in a snowbound mountain setting, this suspenseful story blends isolation, secrets, and simmering tension. If you love the dramatic landscapes of alpine events, this thriller channels that same icy atmosphere.

Check it out here

Bonus Reads: Athlete Memoirs

For a real life look at elite winter sport competition:

 A candid and theatrical look inside the world of figure skating.

Check it out here

Rise by Lindsey Vonn

The first ever inspirational memoir from the most decorated female skier of all time, revealing never-before-told stories of her life in the fast lane, her struggle with depression, and the bold decisions that helped her break down barriers on and off the slopes.

Check it out here

Bonus: What to Watch If You’re Still Missing the Ice

If you’re not ready to leave the rink behind, these picks bring the drama and dedication of elite winter athletes to your screen:

• Glitter & Gold— A behind the scenes look at the world of competitive ice dance, full of politics, obsession, and elite level pressure.

• Qualified— A closer look at the grind of Olympic qualification.

• The Cutting Edge— The ultimate enemies-to-lovers figure skating movie. If you know, you know. Toe pick.

The Winter Olympics may be over, but the obsession doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re diving into a skating romance, a hockey love story, or a snowbound thriller, these books will keep that competitive spark alive long after the medals have been awarded.

If you have a favorite winter sports book I missed, I’d love to add it to my list. You can also find the full list here

Goodreads

Release date: March 3, 2026

Publisher: Bloom Books

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

He spent a lifetime trying to escape his dark past…but to save her, he’ll wade back into the shadows.

Braedyn Winslow never expected to return to Starlight Grove—the town that took everything from her. Not after her best friend, the one who’d sacrificed so much for her, vanished without a trace. But with a young son to raise and a past that won’t stay buried, Brae is back…and determined to uncover the truth.

She just didn’t count on the brooding, reclusive mountain man living next door.

Dex Archer is the stuff of local legend—silent, rugged, and surrounded by whispers of his and his brothers’ violent father. But Brae sees through the scowl and his parentage to the man beneath: fiercely loyal, unexpectedly kind…and just dangerous enough to protect her when someone starts warning her off her search.

The closer she gets to the truth, the harder it is to stay away from Dex. And as things get more perilous, Brae realizes the only person she can rely on is the one man who swore never to trust again.

Only someone isn’t happy that Brae has been digging, and they’ll do anything to stop her. But Dex? He’ll do anything to save her, even slip back into the dark…

Review:

In Across the Vanishing Sky, Catherine Cowles delivers everything I crave in romantic suspense: layered emotion, high stakes tension, and characters you instantly invest in. Braedyn Winslow’s return to Starlight Grove is heavy with history and heartbreak, and the mystery surrounding her best friend’s disappearance adds a haunting undercurrent that propels the entire story forward. The suspense threads are intricate, with multiple plot paths unfolding at once, and as always, Cowles masterfully plants clues that make you think you’ve figured it out, until she completely flips the script.

Dex Archer is the perfect counterpart to Brae. The brooding  man with a troubled family legacy could have felt familiar, but instead he’s deeply nuanced—protective, restrained, and quietly devoted. The slow burn romance develops at a believable pace, rooted in trust, proximity, and shared vulnerability. What truly elevates this story is Brae herself: a fiercely protective single mom whose devotion to her son Owen shapes every decision she makes. Watching Dex with Owen adds an extra layer of tenderness that balances the danger circling them.

This feels like just the beginning of something bigger. The groundwork laid for the Archer brothers hints at so many directions the series could take, and I’m already fully invested. With shocking reveals, emotional depth, and perfectly calibrated romantic tension, Across the Vanishing Sky proves once again that no one blends heart pounding suspense and swoony romance quite like Cowles.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: March 3, 2026

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Narrator: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker

Synopsis:

Witty, endearing, and wildly entertaining, this Southern cozy mystery is a little bit Gilmore Girls , a little bit Finlay Donovan, with a big helping of Only Murders in the Building .

Lila Shaw stopped trusting anyone the minute her husband went to jail for white-collar crime, taking their country club lifestyle with him. Now Lila is broke, friendless, and losing her house—and to make things worse, her true-crime-obsessed daughter, Bea, was just expelled from fourth grade. Desperate for a fresh start, Lila agrees to temporarily move in and clean out an abandoned junk-filled apartment in Richmond’s palatial Primrose building. The luxurious Virginia landmark is filled with retirees who start their days early drinking bourbon and gossiping, in that order.

Soon after Lila’s arrival, the Primrose is thrown into chaos. The owner of the building’s splendid penthouse has died and in his final days he set up a two-million-dollar reward for any resident who helps to solve the 21-year-old murder of his granddaughter at the Primrose. A fan of all detective stories and true-crime podcasts, Bea is inspired to investigate. They really could use the reward money, so Lila reluctantly agrees, in a questionable attempt at family bonding. She’s certain the killer is long-gone after all these years anyway. That is, until another resident is murdered… and Lila becomes the prime suspect.

Now Lila needs to solve both murders to avoid jail, and even worse, losing her daughter to her snobby in-laws. To catch a killer and clear Lila’s name, she and Bea must rely on their elderly neighbors—Jasper, a shy former detective, and Evelyn, an opinionated socialite—along with Nate, a good-looking reporter who keeps appearing at the most inconvenient moments. As the amateur sleuths expose the truth about the Primrose, Lila hopes she can also unravel the trickiest parts of her own life and start fresh.

Review:

Stacy Hackney’s The Primrose Murder Society is witty, endearing, and wildly entertaining in a way that instantly calls to mind Finlay Donovan and Only Murders in the Building, so yes, those comps absolutely track. Set inside Richmond’s luxurious (and gossip filled) Primrose building, the story follows Lila Shaw, whose carefully curated country club life implodes after her husband is sent to prison for a white collar crime. Broke, desperate, and trying to hold onto custody of her daughter Bea, Lila agrees to move into the Primrose, only to find herself tangled in a decades old murder mystery tied to a jaw dropping two million dollar reward. When another resident turns up dead and Lila becomes the prime suspect, the stakes shift from amateur sleuth fun to very real consequences.

What makes this cozy shine is its clever writing and delightful cast of characters. Bea’s true crime obsession adds humor and heart, while the bourbon sipping retirees—especially Jasper and Evelyn—bring sharp wit and layered backstories that elevate the mystery. Hackney balances warmth and suspense beautifully, delivering a solid, satisfying puzzle without losing the charm that makes cozy mysteries so addictive. I genuinely hope this becomes a series because I’m not ready to leave the Primrose, or this found family sleuthing crew behind.

The audiobook, narrated by longtime favorite Stephanie Nemeth-Parker, adds an extra layer of delight. Nemeth-Parker’s friendly, conversational tone makes it feel like a friend is recounting the story over coffee, and she captures the humor, Southern flair, and emotional beats effortlessly. Her performance enhances the wit and keeps the mystery moving at a brisk, engaging pace. Overall, this was a delightful cozy from an author I’ll absolutely be watching.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 24, 2026

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Synopsis:

Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. As with everything, Lance has put his own spin on the long-running Broadway classic, opting for an intimate staging and drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment on a stormy fall night where a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce. 

Life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains on the day of the soirée, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. But Jules and Lance are not to be deterred. After all, the show must go on. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. Once the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity, but when the lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the perfect murder.

Review:

The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander is the twenty second installment in a truly beloved cozy mystery series, and while you can technically hop in anywhere, this is absolutely one of those series that rewards long term reading. I binged the entire series over December and January, and at this point, returning to Ashland feels like catching up with family. Jules Capshaw and the Torte crew have become such comfort characters for me, and every visit back to Oregon is layered with warmth, growth, and history that longtime readers will especially appreciate.

This installment leans beautifully into fall vibes—stormy skies over the Siskiyou Mountains, a theatrical production of Perfect Crime, and a cast party catered by Torte featuring delightfully macabre treats (panna cotta “eyeballs,” anyone?). When life imitates art and a lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, the mystery kicks into gear with all the classic whodunnit fun the series does so well. It’s a solid, engaging case wrapped in atmosphere, community, and of course, mouthwatering descriptions that once again made me wish Torte was a real place I could visit for just one bite of whatever Jules is baking.

One element I especially appreciated was Jules being in her final trimester of pregnancy. Instead of diving headfirst into danger like she often does, she pulls back and allows others to take on more of the sleuthing. It felt realistic and refreshing, she’s still involved and sharp as ever, but not recklessly putting herself in harm’s way. That balance gave the story a slightly different energy while maintaining the strong sense of coziness and community that keeps this series so special. It’s always a joy to be back in Ashland.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 24, 2026

Publisher: Minotaur

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

This fresh debut thriller finds a Scotland Yard detective trying to find the author of a self-help book that promises quite literally to teach readers how to get away with murder, which seems to have inspired London’s newest murderer.

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave for six months, recovering from a breakdown she suffered at work, but when a fourteen-year-old girl is murdered in a local park, Sam jumps at the chance to return to the job and prove that she’s still got what it takes to be the Yard’s most successful homicide detective. One of the cases only leads is a copy of a self-help book found in the victim’s backpack called How To Get Away With Murderby a man named Denver Brady.

Brady claims to be the most successful serial killer of our time, which is why no one’s ever heard of him. Chapter by chapter, he details his methodology and his past victims, and as Sam’s investigation progresses and the details of the book go viral, Sam begins to suspect that there’s more to the author than what he’s revealed. But in order to find a killer and get justice for young Charlotte, Sam must learn to trust her instincts once again, before Denver Brady–or someone else–really does get away with murder.

Review:

How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipsonis such a sharp, clever debut that completely hooked me with its structure alone. I’m always a sucker for a book within a book, and this one absolutely delivered. The concept of a Scotland Yard detective investigating a murder potentially inspired by a self help manual written by a supposed serial killer is bold — and it works. The excerpts from the fictional guide are unsettling, intelligent, and laced with just enough dark British humor to make it all feel wickedly smart rather than overdone.

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen is coming back to work after a breakdown, and that layer of vulnerability adds real depth to the investigation. I loved Sam as a character, she’s sharp, complicated, and deeply human. Watching her read through the killer’s book while simultaneously working the case made the experience feel immersive, like you’re piecing everything together right alongside her. It adds tension in such a clever way.

This is a strong premise executed with confidence. It’s engaging, polished, and feels surprisingly assured for a debut. As someone who loves a serial killer thriller, this hit the spot, and honestly, I’d read an entire series centered on Sam without hesitation.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 24, 2026

Publisher: Atria

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

From Danielle Girard, the USA TODAY bestselling author who “effortlessly ratchets up the tension” (J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author), comes a pulse-pounding thriller about a young woman whose surrogate disappears just days before the baby’s due date, leading to a frantic search that uncovers dark truths and the power of a mother’s love. 

Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.

But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.

Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?

Review:

Danielle Girard delivers a high stakes, emotionally charged thriller with Pinky Swear, and as a mom, this one hit me in a very real place. The premise alone is enough to send your anxiety through the roof: a woman desperate for a baby, finally pregnant via surrogate, only for that surrogate to disappear days before the due date. The fear, the urgency, the what would you do instinct—it all feels incredibly visceral. Lexi’s desperation and determination drove the story, and the emotional stakes felt just as intense as the physical danger.

The dual timeline worked well here, weaving between present day panic and flashbacks to Lexi and Mara’s teenage friendship. Those glimpses into their past added depth and tension, slowly revealing cracks in what once seemed like an unbreakable bond. It kept me engaged, constantly reassessing what I thought I knew about both women. The suspense is strong, the pacing tight, and several scenes genuinely had my adrenaline spiking.

That said, the ending veered a little too over the top for me. Without spoiling anything, some elements stretched believability, which slightly undercut the emotional realism the book had built so well. Still, this is a character driven thriller with sharp tension and compelling themes about friendship, secrets, and the fierce power of a mother’s love. I enjoyed much of the ride and would rate it 3.5 and I’ll round up to 4. 

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: St. Martins

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

The multimillion-copy and New York Times bestseller B. A. Paris returns with a triumphant, unsettling new suspense novel.

Who is watching Nell Masters?

Nell Masters is certain someone is following her. The hairs on the back of her neck rise when she travels to and from work, there are silent calls to her office, and a huge bouquet of flowers arrives without a card. And Nell has a reason to be looking over her shoulder, because she has a secret that she’s hiding from everyone in her life, including her new partner, Alex. But Alex also has secrets of his own.

Fourteen years earlier, when Nell went by the name Elle Nugent, she witnessed a student, Bryony Sanders, getting into a stranger’s car. When Bryony was found murdered, Elle became obsessed with finding the person responsible. She was convinced she knew who it was and her fixation with Brett Parker, the man she accused, led her down a dangerous path . . . 

Now, Nell tries to convince herself that this unnerving feeling of being watched is all in her mind. Has someone from her past discovered her new identity? Has the stalker become the stalked? Or is there something even more deadly at play?

Review:

 This book is an over the top, obsession fueled thriller that leans all the way into paranoia, stalking, and the uneasy feeling that someone is always watching. The first half absolutely hooked me. The creeping dread, the secret identity, the lingering questions about who’s telling the truth and who’s spiraling—it was tense, unsettling, and genuinely fun in that twisty domestic suspense way. I flew through it because the paranoia felt sharp and controlled.

The second half didn’t hit quite as hard for me. It started to veer a little off the rails, and while the twists kept coming, some answers felt a bit too easy and left a few lingering questions behind. That said, I still had a great time with it. The first half was such a blast that I’m rounding my 3.5 up to a solid 4 stars. It’s dramatic, messy, and perfect if you’re in the mood for something unsettling but wildly entertaining.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Goodreads

Release date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis:

You know your neighbours are plotting a crime but no one believes you . . .

When Lena helps her teenage son gather sounds for his media studies project, she doesn’t expect her boom-microphone to pick up a conversation between her neighbours, the Morgans.

And she’s certain they are planning a crime.

Her family and friends tell her that she must have misheard. After all, the Morgans are a well-respected, upstanding couple in their early sixties. They’ve never been in trouble with the law.

Yet Lena can’t stop thinking about it. Because what if she hasn’t misheard? What if she can prevent something awful happening?

After all, stopping it could help ease her conscience about her own dark past . . .

Review:

The New Neighbors by Claire Douglas is a tense, slow burn domestic thriller that leans heavily into paranoia, perspective, and the unsettling idea that you might not know the people living just feet away from you. When Lena accidentally records what she believes is her elderly neighbors plotting a crime, the story kicks off with an intriguing premise, but rather than sprinting into action, it deliberately unravels through multiple POVs, each one adding another layer of doubt and suspicion. You’re not quite sure how everyone is connected at first, which creates a steady sense of unease that builds as the chapters rotate.

Douglas excels at crafting atmosphere. There’s a constant undercurrent of tension as Lena questions what she heard and whether her own past is clouding her judgment. The structure keeps you guessing, and while some twists are genuinely surprising, others are easier to spot coming. That said, the way the different threads ultimately converge is satisfying, even if the road there occasionally veers into over the top or slightly implausible territory.

This isn’t a gritty, ultra realistic thriller, it’s more of a dramatic, twist heavy suburban suspense that asks you to suspend disbelief just enough to enjoy the ride. Complex, layered, and undeniably engaging, it’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages because you need to see how it all connects in the end.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.